Charles Appolis and Nadia Lotz had been together for fourteen years and shared three young children – aged 1, 7 and 8 when she was brutally murdered. On the day of her murder, Appolis told their children that he was going to fetch Nadia from work. She was in the front passenger side and her friend was driving the car. He was sitting behind her in the vehicle and played her favourite song. He leaned forward, stabbed her in the neck and slit her throat. Nadia opened the car door and jumped in an attempt to get away. She died on the sidewalk while her friend was forced to drive on and take Appolis to the police station.
If this happened in the USA, it would have made headlines and would have had live feeds following the case. The fact that this doesn’t happen in South Africa, just shows how “normal” domestic abuse and extreme violence against women and children has become and how broken the South African judicial system really is.
Nadia’s family told Action Society that they had felt helpless for years because Nadia was kept isolated from them and struggled to leave the abusive relationship because he “sweet talked” her back time and again. But things never got better. Instead, it got worse. At the time of Nadia’s murder, Appolis was out on bail of only R1000 for stabbing another victim in the neck. He had 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.
Violence against women and children are increasing – domestic violence is no exception. As a society, we need to take action. We need to take action when we witness abuse in a relationship. We need to assist women to escape from abusive relationships. And we say escape, because they are indeed imprisoned in relationships where they are so isolated emotionally, financially and even physically that they find it impossible to “just leave”.
Domestic violence – a precursor for murder:
A woman who reaches a point where she is brave enough to go to the police for help and protection against a significant other for abuse, should be taken very seriously. There is an active threat against her life and if not taken seriously, will cause a further escalation in violence. Women shouldn’t be shown the door with the “advice” to get a protection order at court themselves. A case of assault should be opened and it should be investigated.
Ban bail for repeat offenders
In many cases, the perpetrator is arrested, but then let out on bail within days. In too many cases, women like Nadia, Siphokhazi Booi and Alwaba Sondare asked for help, thought they were safe because the perpetrator was arrested, but then had to pay with their lives because the perpetrator was simply let out on bail.
Appolis will appear before the Strand Magistrates Court on 13 December 2023. Action Society will continue to fight alongside Nadia’s family until her killer is sentenced for her murder.
Justice for Nadia
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.
Take action today! Share Nadia’s story. #SayHerName and consider funding our efforts to bring her rapists to justice. Click here: https://actionsociety.co.za/donate/
