Action Society supported the families of four victims of sexual violence and murder in the past two weeks. In one case, we supported the family of a young model who was raped by a photographer, and the terrible murder of Lihle Zenzile continues to drag on. However we are pleased that the investigation into the murder of Melissa Bianca Dale is now complete.
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 January 30. Action Society is overseeing the case of the young model who was raped by the well-known Paarl photographer accused of the crime. 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 defence attorney was absent for the January appearance and the matter was postponed to 12 February.
Melissa Bianca Dale: Disabled woman raped and killed on military base
The brutal rape and murder case of Melissa Bianca Dale, a disabled woman who was murdered on the grounds of the Wynberg Military base, has been completed. Action Society attended the case against the suspect, the son of a South African Defence Force member living on the premises, at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on February 6. The case was postponed to 15 February 2024, when a Regional Court date will be determined.
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 2 February. The defence attorney was however absent due to illness. The case has been dragging along for months with the defence arguing that the accused is not mentally fit to stand trial despite a report of Dr. Prinsloo to the contrary. A mental health report is still outstanding and the case was postponed to 11 March 2024. . The man killed the 10-year-old and stuffed her body in a trunk and hid it under her parents’ bed.
Orchid: Killed and stuffed in a trunk by her uncle
Multiple postponements continue to plague the murder case of Orchid*, a 17-year-old girl who was killed by her uncle and then stuffed into a trunk. Action Society attended Orchid’s murder case at the Mitchells Plain Magistrates court on 6 February where the defence brought an application to recall the witness. The state opposed, and there were no closing arguments. The matter has been postponed to 29 February 2024 for the attorneys’ applications regarding the witness to be considered.
