Action Society’s unwavering efforts in getting justice for victims of GBV has paid its dividends this month with jail sentences in two of our most hard-fought and disturbing cases. The man accused of killing Nadine Klaase has been sentenced to 20 years and the man who stalked and stabbed a 16-year-old girl twice, received a 15 year sentence. However, the painfully slow court battles still continue with countless victims awaiting justice.
Here is the wrap for this week:
VREDENDAL MAGISTRATES COURT
Nadine Klaase: Found strangled in her bed
It has been one and a half years since Nadine Klaase was strangled to death in her bed in Vredendal North on 6 October 2023 and her killer has finally been brought to justice. The killer, Martin Muller, 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 matter was finalised and Muller was sentenced to 20 years with 2 years of the sentence suspended.
PAARL REGIONAL COURT
Daisy: Stalked and stabbed
Nearly two years after she was stalked and violently stabbed in the head, the man who tried to take 16-year-old Daisy’s* life has been given a sentence of 15 years, 10 of which will be direct imprisonment. He was also sentenced another year for assault, which will be served concurrently with the 15 year sentence. He first tried to kill her when he stabbed her in the lungs, and despite a protection order, he continued to stalk her and attempted to take her life again on 17 July 2023 by stabbing her in the head. Although we are glad to see a victory in this case, Daisy’s story is a reminder of how easy it is for violent criminals to contravene a protection order and that more needs to be done to protect victims.
MITCHELLS PLAIN REGIONAL COURT
Violet: Raped by uncle
Action Society was shocked to learn that the man accused of raping his 12-year-old niece – Violet* – and sentenced to 15 years in prison in October last year is now appealing this decision. Action Society first became involved with the case in April of 2022, and was frustrated by various delays including faulty court equipment, unavailable court interpreters and overflowing sexual offences court rolls. The case was heard on 24 March 2025 and postponed to 8 April for leave to appeal arguments.
Lekesha Marthinus: Killed after a bottle was thrown at her head
The murder case of Lekesha Marthinus continued in March. She was killed in November 2022 after her boyfriend fatally threw a bottle at her head while she was holding her baby in her arms. The case was temporarily withdrawn in September 2023 due to an outstanding post-mortem report but was reopened in October 2024. Various delay tactics have led to this case being postponed numerous times. Their latest tactic involved the accused opting for a new attorney as he no longer uses Legal Aid. The case was heard in court on 31 March 2025 and was postponed to 8 July for plea and trial.
BLUE DOWNS REGIONAL COURT
Poppy: Four-year-old molested by creche transport driver
The case of Poppy*, a four-year-old girl from Mfuleni in the Western Cape who was molested by an older creche transport driver in October 2024, continued in March. We are delighted that the accused was denied bail and will remain in custody for the time being. Following the events that led to Poppy’s attack, Action Society once again called for the National Registry for Sex Offenders to be made public. Privacy laws shouldn’t protect predators. The case was heard in court on 28 March 2025 and was postponed to 5 May.
MITCHELLS PLAIN MAGISTRATES COURT
Maggie Carolus: Elderly lady assaulted by neighbour
A 70-year-old woman was attacked by her neighbour in Strandfontein in the Western Cape on 20 October 2024 in yet another incident of elderly abuse. According to reports, an altercation erupted between the two neighbours when the man pushed her to the edge of her garage, and she struck the pavement. The accused had continuously intimidated the elderly lady in the past. A protection order was granted and the court case on the assault charge was postponed to 10 April for further investigation.
Iris: Raped by mothers ex-husband
The case against the stepfather of 15-year-old Iris*, accused of raping his ex-wife’s daughter from a young age, often while giving her a bath, continued in court in March and April. The case was heard at Mitchell’s Plain Sexual Offences Court on March 31, 2025 where it was postponed to 1 April 2025, then again to 17 June for plea and trial.
Kapteinsklip girl gangraped
The case of Fern*, a 14-year-old girl who was gang-raped by a group of young boys 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. Three boys were arrested and attended court on April 2, 2025 and the case has been postponed to 5 May for further investigation.
KHAYELITSHA REGIONAL COURT
Thimna Kuze: Found dead in a shack
The murder case of Thimna Kuze continued in April, more than two years after her murder. Thimna, a 13-year-old girl from Khayelitsha, was murdered on 25 March 2023, and her family is still waiting for justice. The young girl slept over at a friend’s house and was found dead a day later in a shack with blood in her nose, mouth and groin area. The case was heard in court on April 3, 2025 and was postponed to 14, 15 and 16 April for trial.
*Pseudonyms to protect the identity of the victims
