Action Society continued supporting victims of violence in various courts in the Western Cape during May. Today marks 500 days after Lihle Zenzile was murdered and Aaliyah Chingy is two months away from what should be her 21st birthday. Their heartbroken families have to face their killers everytime they brave the courts only to be met with disappointment. However hope is on the horizon as Aaliyah’s case moves toward trial and a possible plea deal is on the cards in Lihle’s case.
BELLVILLE REGIONAL COURT
Aaliyah Chingy: Tossed in a shallow grave
The murder case of Aaliyah Chingy continued its uphill battle as her family and friends remained determined to see her killer behind bars for life. However there is hope on the horizon as the case is set to go on trial on 24 July 2024, a day on which she should be celebrating her 21st birthday. On 12 February 2023, her body was found tossed in a shallow grave, covered in multiple stab wounds. Just like in Siphokazi Booi’s case, the man accused of killing her, Moeneeb Hess, was her romantic partner at the time and there was a history of abuse in their relationship. It went unreported until it was too late.
KHAYELITSHA REGIONAL COURT
Thimna Kuze: Found dead in a shack
The Thimna Kuze murder case continued in May 2024. Thimna Kuze, 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 man accused of her murder appeared in court on 7 May and the case was postponed to 4 June 2024 for consultation by the defence.
PAARL MAGISTRATES COURT:
Asiphe Cetywayo: Body thrown in a dumpsite
Asiphe Cetywayo’s murder case continued in May. Asiphe’s mutilated body was found by 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 May 6 and was postponed to 24 June 2024 for a decision forum to decide if the case will go to regional or high court.
MALMESBURY REGIONAL COURT:
Serial child molester: Action Society wants to see him removed from society
Action Society continues to push for a man accused of molesting three children in Malmesbury to be put behind bars for his crimes. The case against the paedophile was heard on 10 May 2024 and was delayed until 1 July 2024, for the accused to be placed at the Valkenberg psychiatric hospital. The case has been very frustrating as the accused has slipped through the cracks multiple times. He was first arrested in 2021 but was let go on a warning. In the meantime, two years on, the accused has bought himself time by changing lawyers on three different occasions. Action Society warns that he is a danger to all children and should be removed from society.
PAROW REGIONAL COURT
Jason Hendricks: Raped in a bush near his school
The case against the attacker accused of raping Jason Hendricks continues to drag along frustratingly slowly for the young boy’s family. Jason was raped in Belhar in the Tygerberg area in Cape Town last year. The matter was heard on 13 May and was postponed to 27 May 2024 for consultation.
PAARL REGIONAL COURT
Lihle Zenzile: Body found in a trunk under her parents bed
Action Society attended the murder case of little Lihle Zenzile at the Paarl Regional Court on 17 May 2024. Today marks 500 days after the 10-year-old girl from Mbekweni in Paarl, was killed on January 6, 2023 by a close member of her family who was living in the same house with her and her family. She went missing and after a lengthy search, her killer handed himself over to the police and indicated where her body was hidden.The matter was heard in court on 17 May and was postponed to 13 June 2024 for a possible plea.
Paarl photographer rapist: Young model targeted and raped by photographer
Action Society attended the case against the Photographer Rapist in the Paarl Regional Court on 17 May 2024. Action Society is overseeing this case of the young model who was raped by a photographer who was well known in the Paarl region. He used his influence and reputation to lure the 19-year-old aspiring model to a secluded area where he drugged and raped her during a photosession. The case was heard on 17 May and has been postponed to 24 May 2024 as the accused’s attorney was not available.
