Justice for victims of violence against women and children continues to be painfully slow. Action Society supported two minor victims at court this past week – one, the 16-year-old victim of a stalker, and the other, a 13-year-old who a family member raped. We also supported the families of two women who were brutally murdered. All four cases were postponed.
“The wheels of justice need to turn faster. We need the South African Police Service (SAPS) to prioritise cases of abuse against women and children because, very often, it escalates to murder. Perpetrators of violence against women and children mustn’t have the option of bail, and the court should impose harsh sentences as quickly as possible,” says Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm.
Violet: Raped by uncle
(22 November: Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate court)
Action Society attended the rape case of 13-year-old Violet* at the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates Court last week. Violet’s uncle, who was living in the house with her and her family, stands accused of her rape. The matter was postponed to 4 December 2023.
Violet is a pseudonym used to protect the victim’s identity.
Cleo Diko: Found dead under a bed with a rope around her neck
(22 November: Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates Court)
The murder case against the man accused of murdering Cleo Diko was postponed to 12 December to get the accused to the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates court. The suspect could not attend the proceedings due to a Diphtheria outbreak at Pollsmoor Prison. Cleo’s decomposed body was found underneath the accused’s bed. Her body was covered with cement and tiles, and a rope was tied around her neck like a noose. The accused was arrested at a railway line close to where he was living.
Daisy: Stalked and stabbed
(22 November: Paarl Regional Court)
The case against the Paarl Stalk and Stabber was postponed due to the protection order not being on the docket again. The case will now be heard on 5 December. Action Society has been supporting the 16-year-old girl who was nearly killed after her ex-boyfriend stabbed her in the lungs. Despite a protection order, he continued to stalk her and attempted to take her life on 17 July by stabbing her in the head. Not only was her killer out on bail at the time, but he also contravened a protection order the family had arranged for her. Had Action Society not personally handed the police the protection order, the perpetrator would be out on bail again. The fact that the protection order is not in the docket indicates clear investigative neglect in this case.
Daisy is a pseudonym used to protect the victim’s identity.
Aaliyah Chingy: Buried in a shallow grave
(22 November: Bellville Magistrates Court)
The defence team for the man accused of murdering and mutilating the body of 20-year-old Aaliyah Chingy asked for a postponement for further consultation. Aaliyah’s body was found buried in a shallow grave along Afram Road in Delft in the Western Cape. She had been stabbed repeatedly. The case was postponed to 24 January 2024.
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