Many of our most high-profile and disturbing cases are delayed in court—seemingly indefinitely—because of slow forensic processing. Action Society believes that justice is a basic human right, and by delaying justice, people are being stripped of their dignity and humanity.
It has been more than a year since the gruesome murder of Asiphe Cetywayo, and the accused are still manipulating the courts with bail applications. Similarly, Nadine Klaase was murdered by her boyfriend a year and a half ago, with continued court delays plaguing her case. Meanwhile, the case of Aaliyah Chingy, who was murdered two years ago, is also facing continued delays.
We believe that the only way forward is to establish a specialised SAPS task force to address the backlog of gender-based violence cases. Court delays due to incomplete investigations and forensic work are unacceptable. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) will facilitate faster case resolutions by, among other things, funding for forensic support.
Through a PPP with SAPS, we aim to improve the efficiency of case resolutions, reduce victim distress, and strengthen public safety, exemplifying the impact of collaborative efforts on justice.
Here is the latest Action Society court wrap:
VREDENDAL MAGISTRATES COURT
Nadine Klaase: Strangled in her bed
Nadine Klaase was strangled to death in her bed in Vredendal North on 6 October 2023. The suspected killer was her boyfriend at the time, and he was arrested the night her body was discovered. Her body was found with multiple scratches on her skin, she had a bloodied nose, and a shoelace was tied around her neck. The case was heard in court on 24 February and was postponed to 26 March for plea negotiations.
PAARL MAGISTRATES COURT
Asiphe Cetywayo: Mutilated body found in a dumping site
Herdsmen found Asiphe’s mutilated body at the Vlakkeland dumping site on Monday, March 4, 2024. The 22-year-old student was raped and murdered the previous day, and her body was severely burnt with acid. The case was heard in court on 25 February 2025 and was provisionally postponed to 10 April.
MITCHELLS PLAIN MAGISTRATES COURT
Kapteinsklip teenage girl gangraped
The case of a 14-year-old girl who a group of young boys gang-raped continued in February. What makes this case even more upsetting is the fact that the perpetrators (whose ages ranged between six and 17) recorded their sexual assault on the girl and distributed the footage to members of their community. The case was heard in court on 27 February, where three of the older boys appeared, and was postponed to 2 April.
MITCHELLS PLAIN REGIONAL COURT
*Violet: Raped by uncle
Action Society approached the court in response to the convicted prosecutor’s leave to appeal in the rape case of a then 12-year-old girl with whom he co-resided at the time. On 31 October 2024, he was sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment for her rape. Action Society will do all we can to prevent this man from manipulating the courts to get his freedom. The matter was heard in court on 28 February 2025 and was postponed to 14 March for leave to appeal. We find it an insult to this young girl that leave to appeal is even an option.
Firdous Kleinsmidt: Killed by a stray bullet
The murder trial of Firdous Kleinsmidt continued in February. The 13-year-old girl was struck and killed by a stray bullet whilst she was awaiting transport from her school grounds. Her needless death highlights the need for improved safety for children in areas with high levels of gang violence. The case was heard in court on 3 March 2025 and was postponed to 19 March for further trial.
ATHLONE MAGISTRATES COURT
Melanie Stoffels: Beaten to death with a hammer
The murder case of 26-year-old Melanie Stoffels continued in court in March. She was beaten to death with a hammer on 7 August 2024 in an apparent ‘hit’ organised by her ex-girlfriend in Heideveld. She was pregnant at the time of her murder. The attacker handed himself over to the police on 11 August, and the ex-girlfriend was arrested later that month. The case was heard in court on 3 March 2025 and postponed to 24 April for further investigation.
ATLANTIS MAGISTRATES COURT
Joshlin Marthinus: Killed by ex-boyfriend
Action Society has been mandated to assist the family of Joshlin Marthinus, a 27-year-old mother who was killed by her ex-boyfriend in September 2024 in Atlantis in the Western Cape. The matter was heard in court on 3 March 2025 and was postponed to 10 April.
Nosiphiwo James: Action Society condemns remand application
The murder suspect in Nosiphiwo James’s case will have to continue with the trial without the option of a get-out-of-jail loophole. His bail application in terms of Section 49G(3) of the Correctional Services Act of 1998 in South Africa was denied on 5 March. This section of the Act states that a remand detainee must be referred to court if their detention will exceed two years.
Action Society strongly condemns continued court delays, which result in thousands of dangerous remanded prisoners waiting for court procedures to end, but even more frustrating, leaving victims despondent and in fear of a suspect being released without justice. The trial continued on 6 March 2025 and was postponed to 7 April.
BELVILLE REGIONAL COURT
Aaliyah Chingy: Body tossed in a shallow grave
The murder case of Aaliyah Chingy, a 20-year-old woman, continued in March of 2025. Her body was discovered in a shallow grave in February 2023. The main suspect, her boyfriend, was arrested and is still in police custody. The case was heard on 3 March 2025 and was provisionally postponed to 12 May.
