Action Society continues its watch over South Africa’s justice system as several harrowing cases move through courts across the country, many of them once again delayed. This week’s updates include cases of children raped and murdered, women killed by intimate partners, and victims failed by parole and prison systems that continue to release dangerous offenders back into society. Each postponement represents another family waiting for closure, and another reminder of how systemic inefficiency compounds trauma for victims.
“Every postponement deepens the wound for victims’ families,” says Kaylynn Palm, Head of Action Society’s Action Centre in the Western Cape. “We see the same failures repeating – from weak investigations and parole mismanagement to endless legal delays. Justice delayed is not justice served, and Action Society will keep standing with victims until accountability becomes the norm, not the exception.”
KHAYELITSHA MAGISTRATES COURT
Barbershop Massacre
Last appearance: 9 September 2025
Next appearance: 19 November 2025
Case update: Athule Mtsha and Sithisa Masiko face charges related to a mass shooting at a Khayelitsha barbershop on 8 June 2024, which resulted in the deaths of three children and a 30-year-old man, and left several others injured. The accused have been charged with four counts of murder, 11 counts of attempted murder, and possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition. The case has been postponed to 8 July 2025, with no reason recorded for the postponement.
KHAYELITSHA REGIONAL COURT
Thimna Kuze: Raped and murdered at 13-years-old
Last appearance: 29 September 2025
Next appearance: 20 October 2025
Case update: On the night of 25 March 2023, Thimna stayed over at a friend’s house. By the next day, she was found dead in a shack, with blood in her nose, mouth, and groin. The evidence points to a brutal rape and murder that cut short her young life. On 29 September the court was informed that a new attorney needs to come on record as the previous attorney fell ill.
WYNBERG MAGISTRATES COURT
9-year-old Lavender* raped by parolee*
Last appearance: 11 September 2025
Next appearance: 23 October 2025
Case update: A nine-year-old girl was brutally raped in Hanover Park in May 2025. The accused, who allegedly lured the child to his home, was out on parole after he was convicted in 2008 of raping and indecently assaulting a 10-year-old child. The case has fuelled calls for stricter parole conditions for violent offenders and the publication of the National Register of Sexual Offenders. On 11 September the case was postponed to 23 October 2025.
ATLANTIS REGIONAL COURT
Joshlin Marthinus – murdered
Last appearance: 11 September 2025
Next appearance: 21 October 2025
Case update: Joshlin Marthinus, a 27 year old mother of two young daughters, was allegedly lured from her mother’s home by her ex boyfriend on 15 September 2024. Hours later, her body was found under a bed with a plastic bag around her head. Letters discovered after her death revealed years of abuse. The case was postponed on 11 September 2025 to 21 October 2025.
MITCHELL’S PLAIN SEXUAL OFFENCES COURT
Iris – raped from a young age
Last appearance: 22 September 2025
Next appearance: 20 and 21 January 2026 for plea and trial
Case update: The matter involving the alleged rape of 15-year-old Iris by her mother’s ex-husband was heard in the Mitchells Plain Sexual Offences Court on 22 September. The accused allegedly raped her from a young age, often while giving her a bath. The case has been postponed to 20 and 21 January 2026 for plea and trial.
CAPE TOWN REGIONAL COURT
Convicted killer of Suritha Alting back in court
Last appearance: 25 September 2025
Next appearance: 9 October 2025
Case update: Suritha was brutally stabbed on her way home from Bossa near her home in De Zicht during the early hours of a Saturday morning in November 2022. Her murderer, Xolani du Preez was serving an 11-year sentence for the 2022 murder of the 28-year-old. Before being transferred to Pollsmoor Correctional Centre, Xolani du Preez was held at the Horizon Youth Correctional Centre, which is located in Faure, near Cape Town. This facility typically houses younger offenders and is managed by the Western Cape Government. Following an assault on staff at the Horizon Centre, Du Preez and two other convicts were moved to Pollsmoor following a High Court order in July 2024 directed their continued incarceration there due to the seriousness of their crimes. Despite this, they were later wrongfully released after a court appearance as if they were remand detainees, not sentenced prisoners – an error Action Society is now challenging. Du Preez was later re-arrested – not in connection with the escape, but for allegedly committing further crimes while unlawfully free. The court is pursuing more convictions against Du Preez. He appeared on 25 September and the new case against him was postponed to 9 October 2025.
Rosemary: Almost killed by lawyer boyfriend
Last appearance: 3 October 2025
Next appearance: 24 October 2025
Case update: The case of attempted murder against Rosemary’s former lawyer boyfriend continued in October and was postponed again. Rosemary narrowly survived after her boyfriend allegedly tried to kill her in a vicious attack.
