This month’s courtwrap again highlights the devastating prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) in South Africa. From women burned alive and children raped by parolees to victims left waiting months for trial dates, it is clear that our criminal justice system is failing those most in need of protection.
Action Society warns that the current centralised policing model is collapsing under the weight of inefficiency, leaving communities without adequate protection or accountability. Localised policing, with operational autonomy at district and station level, is urgently needed to manage capacity, speed up investigations, and provide faster response times to victims of domestic abuse.
Protection orders, domestic violence cases, and violations of restraining orders must also be prioritised as emergency matters within the justice system. Delayed enforcement of these orders often results in the loss of lives that could have been saved.
“We are seeing the same story repeat itself across South Africa — women report threats, seek protection, and still end up dead. A centralised, top-down system cannot respond effectively to the realities inside each community,” says Kaylynn Palm, Action Centre Head (Western Cape). “Police stations need local authority and resources to manage cases proactively. Domestic violence and protection order breaches must be treated as red-alert emergencies, not administrative burdens. Until policing is localised and protection mechanisms enforced, victims will continue to slip through the cracks of a failing system.”
Through its monitoring of ongoing cases in courts across the country, Action Society continues to advocate for decentralised policing, community-level accountability, and a justice process that truly protects victims of intimate partner violence.
MITCHELL’S PLAIN REGIONAL COURT
Angela Koopman: Burned alive
Last appearance: 21 October 2025
Next appearance: 1 – 2 December
The trial against the murder accused of Angela Koopman was yet again postponed on 21 October even though the prosecution was ready to continue. Angela Koopman’s tragic death shocked her community after her boyfriend allegedly set her alight on 22 March 2024, leaving her with fatal burn wounds. Case has been postponed to 1 and 2 December for trial.
PAARL MAGISTRATES COURT
Chanelle Plaatjies: Went missing, found murdered
Last appearance: 16 October 2025
Next appearance: 27 November 2025
The three men accused of murdering 16-year-old Chanelle Plaatjies appeared in court again on 16 October. Chanelle was last seen on 14 May 2025 and was reported missing on 28 May 2025. In the days that followed, Chanelle’s family and the broader Paarl East community launched a tireless search which led to a chilling discovery: a shallow grave near a dam. A female body, wrapped in a black bag, was found on 2 June. Chanelle’s father began digging after the shoe was discovered, before police took over the scene. DNA results later confirmed what the family feared — the body was Chanelle’s. The case was postponed and will continue on 27 November. There are still an outstanding toxicology report and a decision to move the case to the High Court has not been made yet.
MITCHELL’S PLAIN REGIONAL COURT
Firdous Kleinschmidt: Killed by stray bullet
Last appearance: 6-8 October 2025
Next appearance: 10 and 17 November 2025
Firdous Kleinschmidt, a 13-year-old Grade 7 pupil was killed on 30 January 2024 after being struck by a stray bullet at school in Beacon Valley. She was waiting for her school transport on the school grounds. The accused has multiple murder cases against him – unrelated to Firdous’s killing and the court often have all the cases scheduled on the same day. The murder trial for Firdous’s case continued between 6 and 8 October and is scheduled to continue on 10 and 17 November 2025.
WYNBERG MAGISTRATES COURT
9-year-old Lavender* raped by parolee
Last appearance: 30 October 2025
Next appearance: 4 November 2025
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. The case appeared via AVR in the Wynberg Regional Court on 30 October 2025. The next court date is 4 November for legal representative consultation.
BLUE DOWNS REGIONAL COURT
Janelle Laatoe and two others vs. serial abuser
Last appearance: 29 October 2025
Next appearance: 28 November 2025
The man accused in this case is alleged to have preyed on multiple women during their relationships with him, including Janelle Laatoe. Her ordeal, along with that of two other women, has brought them together in their search for justice against a serial abuser. After a stern warning to the accused after he attempted to contact the victims, the case continued on 29 October 2025 and was postponed to 28 November 2025 for plea negotiations.
MALMESBURY REGIONAL COURT
Malmesbury Molester back in court
Last appearance: 21 October 2025
Next appearance: 7 November 2025
The case against a serial child molester in Malmesbury continued in October 2025. First arrested in 2021 for child molestation, the accused was released on a warning. He has admitted to struggling with urges to harm children, yet mental health evaluations contradict claims that he cannot control himself. Action Society believes he is a dangerous predator who must never be allowed near children again. The case will continue on 7 November 2025.
JOHANNESBURG REGIONAL COURT
Viral child abuse case back in court
Last appearance: 3 and 20 October 2025
Next appearance: 20 November 2025
The three suspects aged between 28 and 36 – including the child’s biological mother and two adult males, accused of child abuse was back in court in October. The three appeared in a now viral and disturbing video circulating online, showing a young child being handed what appears to be Mandrax and encouraged to smoke it while adults laugh and watch to see if he stumbles around. The case will continue on 20 November 2025.
KHAYELITSHA REGIONAL COURT
Thimna Kuze: Raped and murdered at 13-years-old
Last appearance: 20 October 2025
Next appearance: 3 November 2025
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 20 October 2025 the case was postponed to 3 November 2025 to allow the new defence attorney to consult with the accused.
CAPE TOWN REGIONAL COURT
Rosemary: Almost killed by lawyer boyfriend
Last appearance: 24 October 2025
Next appearance: Provisionally on 24 December 2025
Action Society is closely monitoring the trial of a Cape Town man, a practising lawyer, who was arrested on 4 July 2024 after allegedly beating, kicking, choking, and attempting to suffocate his former partner, Rosemary. The brutal assault occurred on 25 June 2024. He fled the scene but was later apprehended and charged. He now stands accused of attempted murder. The case continued in October and was postponed again – provisionally to 24 December.
*Names have been changed to protect the identity of victims.
