Action Society, as well as the victims and families of crimes related to violence against women and children, are fed up with criminals playing the justice system to delay court cases. Justice delayed is justice denied. This delaying tactic was evident in two of the cases in which we continue to offer assistance. In the case of Nadia Lotz, the accused once again changed his legal representative even after the magistrate warned he would not be allowed to do so. In Thimna Kuze’s case, the accused either delays the case by asking for consultations with his lawyer or applies for a new legal representative.
STRAND MAGISTRATES COURT:
Nadia Lotz: Mother of three stabbed in the neck
Nadia was killed on 4 March 2023 by her long-term and often abusive boyfriend, Charles Appolis, by slitting her throat and stabbing her multiple times in a car. He was out on bail when he killed her. Just this year, the case has been postponed five times because of an absent lawyer, the firing of his lawyer, and consultation with his lawyer. On 3 April, the magistrate warned that Appolis needed to get his legal representation in order; however, on 15 April, there was no lawyer present yet again, and the case was postponed to 2 May 2024.
KHAYELITSHA MAGISTRATES COURT:
Thimna Kuze: Found dead in a shack
On 8 April 2023, the 13-year-old was found dead with blood in her nose, mouth and groin area in a shack after sleeping over at a friend’s house. It is believed that she was raped before she was killed by her friend’s uncle, who gave the girls alcohol. This case has been postponed 11 times, the last two times for the appointment of a legal representative. The new court date is 22 April 2024.
MITCHELLS PLAIN MAGISTRATES COURT:
Iris: Raped by mother’s ex-husband
Action Society was approached by the mother of a 15-year-old girl who was being raped by the mother’s ex-husband. He allegedly raped her while he was bathing her. The matter was heard in court on 8 April and has been postponed to 22 April 2024 for the accused to consult with his legal team.
WYNBERG MAGISTRATES COURT:
Melissa Bianca Dale: Raped and murdered at a military base
The investigation into the brutal rape and murder of Melissa Bianca Dale has been completed. Dale, a disabled woman who was murdered on the grounds of the Wynberg Military base, is suspected to have been raped and murdered by the son of a South African Defence Force member living on the premises. The matter was heard in court on 8 April and was postponed to 4 September 2024 for a pre-trial conference.
PAARL MAGISTRATES COURT:
Asiphe Cetywayo: Body thrown in a dumpsite
Asiphe’s mutilated body was found by a herdsman at the Vlakkeland dumping site on Monday, March 4, 2024. She was raped and murdered the previous day, and her body was severely burnt with acid. The matter was heard in court on 22 April, where one of the accused men was granted bail, and the case was postponed to 6 May 2024 to apply for a regional court date.
BELLVILLE MAGISTRATES COURT:
Poppy: Raped by cousin
Poppy* was playing on the trampoline at the Durbanville sports field when she was raped by her cousin on 9 November 2022. The case was heard at the Bellvile Juvenile Court on 11 April and has been postponed to 11 June 2024.
PAARL MAGISTRATES COURT:
Violet: Raped by uncle
Action Society is pleased with the progress made in the case of Violet, a teenage girl who was raped by her uncle in 2019. We have been supporting the young girl since 2020, and the case was heard in court on 16 April. It has been postponed to 26 June 2024 for closing arguments.
CAPE TOWN MAGISTRATES COURT:
Candice Robertson: Made her death look like a suicide
The case against Candice Robertson’s partner, who killed her and tried to make her murder look like a suicide on 30 April 2022, continued on 18 April 2024. According to reports, her killer allegedly called the owner of the guest house where they were staying and reported that Robertson seemed to have committed suicide in the room. However, when authorities and medics arrived at the scene, there were doubts about what had happened, and he was arrested. The matter was heard on 18 April 2024 and was postponed to 23 May 2024.
MITCHELLS PLAIN MAGISTRATES COURT:
Angela Koopman: Doused in petrol and set alight
Angela Koopman was doused in petrol and set alight by her partner on 22 March 2024. The case was heard on 18 April and postponed to 20 May 2024 for bail application.
