The Strand Stabber, Charles Appolis, accused of stabbing his girlfriend Nadia Lotz in the neck and slitting her throat, was out on bail along with his brother, for stabbing another victim in the neck only months before. Had bail been denied, Nadia would still be alive today.
Action Society supported the Lotz family outside the court today and met with family members of the Strand Stabber’s previous stabbing victim, and several other previous victims, with protection orders against the accused. The court however, literally left victims and family members out in the cold, not allowing anyone in court and to add insult to injury, postponed the case for the sixth time.
According to Ian Cameron, the events at the Strand Magistrate’s court today showcase our failed justice system and police service. “This court failed Nadia Lotz and all the victims of the Strand Stabber, by granting him and his brother bail of only R1000 when he was accused of stabbing another victim in the neck. Moreover, considering various other protection orders against him, and a long history of domestic abuse, he was clearly a danger to society, showcasing the police’s failure to do proper investigations to convict violent criminals, getting them off the street. Had the police and justice department done their jobs, Nadia Lotz would be alive today.”
Following Action Society’s intervention, the Strand Magistrate’s court apologised to family members and said that they would ensure that the next court appearance will be scheduled in a bigger courtroom to allow family members to attend the proceedings.
The next court date is scheduled for 14 August 2023.
Timeline of events:
- 4 March 2023: Nadia Lotz (32) dies in a violent attack, allegedly at the hands of her boyfriend of 14 years, and father of her children (1, 7 and 8).
- 7 March 2023: The accused appears in the Strand Magistrate’s court, but the case is postponed to 10 March 2023 for bail application.
- 10 March 2023: The accused abandons his bail application and the case is postponed to 12 April for further investigation.
- 12 April 2023: Case is postponed to 1 June 2023, pending Post Mortem results.
- 1 June 2023: Case is postponed to 12 June 2023.
- 12 June 2023: Case is postponed to 11 July 2023.
- 11 July 2023: Case postponed to 14 August 2023
Action Society’s #SayHerName campaign aims to create awareness about the realities of abuse against women and children. But more importantly, to get justice for those whose voices were taken away in the most brutal ways imaginable.
To support Action Society’s Action Centre to continue helping victims of gender-based violence, follow this link.
