Action Society supported the families of various more victims of rape and murder the past two weeks – three of them under the age of fourteen. Multiple postponements for the most ridiculous reasons continue to frustrate the process to find justice for the victims and their families.
Murdered: Thimna Kuze – found dead in a shack:
The accused in the case of 13-year-old Thimna, who was found dead on the 25th of March this year, after sleeping over at a friend’s house, was in court on 22 and 24 August 2023. The case was postponed to today (25 August) for a bail decision. Action Society is overseeing her case. She was found dead in a shack with blood in her nose, mouth and groin area. It is believed that she was raped before she was killed.
Murdered: Lihle Zenzile – the girl in the trunk:
The case against the family member who, according to all accounts, murdered 10-year-old Lihle Zenzile and stuffed her body into a trunk, was postponed to 17 October yesterday to allow the accused to consult with a new attorney. Lihle’s body was found in her parents bedroom on 6 January 2023 in Mbekweni in the Paarl. The 18-year-old suspect in this case was arrested after he turned himself in and directed police to the scene of the crime.
Raped: Violet (13)’s – case postponed more than 10 times since 2019:
Justice has been denied for a 13-year-old rape victim after her case has been postponed more than 10 times since 2019. The case appeared before the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates court again on 23 August 2023 but got postponed again to 27 September 2023 as the state’s witness was ill. Violet was raped in 2019 and bringing her rapist to justice has been an uphill battle for both Action Society and Violet’s family. Postponement after postponement has the teenager having to relive the trauma every time the matter is brought to court. The reason for these postponements include faulty technical equipment at court, a full court roll and finally difficulty finding a French interpreter. (The victim’s name has been changed to protect her identity)
Murdered: Nadia Lotz
Charles Appolis, who is charged with killing Nadia Lotz will appear in court again on 26 September to allow for further investigation. It is reported that he killed Nadia after slitting her throat while they were in a moving car. He was out on bail when he killed her. At the previous appearance on 14 August, the family and community were not let inside the court room, due to limited room. However the matter was being heard in a different courtroom this time round. A final decision for a regional court date is expected at the next appearance.
