The murder trial of Firdous Kleinschmidt is expected to commence in early February, and we hope to bring her killer to justice. Thursday, 30 January, will mark one year since a stray bullet in Mitchells Plain tragically killed her while she was awaiting transport on her school grounds. Firdous is an innocent victim in the ongoing gang wars that riddle Mitchells Plain and her death is a stark reminder of how vulnerable children in South Africa are.
Here is a wrap of our current cases:
MITCHELLS PLAIN REGIONAL COURT
Firdous Kleinsmidt: Killed by a stray bullet
The murder trial of Firdous Kleinschmidt will continue on 3 and 6 February 2025. Her death was tragic and underscores the reality that innocent children are often caught in the crossfires of gang violence. The Action Society team is hopeful that justice can be served during this trial.
MITCHELLS PLAIN MAGISTRATES COURT
Angela Koopman: Doused in petrol and burnt alive
Angela Koopman was doused in petrol and set alight by her partner on 22 March 2024. She was rushed to hospital, where she eventually died from the severe burns she sustained. Fortunately, bail was denied for the killer after a lengthy bail application process, and he is still in custody, much to the relief of Angela’s family and friends. The matter was heard in court on 17 and 24 January and was postponed to 31 January 2025 due to problems with the toilets at the holding cells where the suspect is being held.
KUILSRIVIER MAGISTRATES COURT
Granny Clover: Elderly lady abused by family member
Action Society continued our oversight in the case of Granny Clover, who a family member violently assaulted in a video that went viral in July of 2024. The family member was arrested soon after the incident but received bail with strict restrictions, including the demand that he attend school during the week and remain under house arrest on the weekend. The matter was heard in court on 13 January and was postponed to 13 February 2025 as his legal representative was unavailable.
BLUE DOWNS REGIONAL COURT
Poppy: Sexually assaulted by creche driver
The case of Poppy, a four-year-old girl from Mfuleni in the Western Cape who was molested by an older creche transport driver in October 2024, continued in January 2025. We are very pleased that he was denied bail and will remain in custody for the time being. The matter was heard in court on 15 January and was postponed to 20 February for reasons that are not clear. “Following the events that led to Poppy’s attack, Action Society has called for the National Registry for Sex Offenders to be made public. Privacy laws shouldn’t protect predators”, said Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm.
KHAYELITSHA REGIONAL COURT
Nosiphiwo James: Stabbed to death with a screwdriver
Action Society continued our oversight in the murder case of Nosiphiwo James more than two years after she was brutally stabbed to death with a screwdriver in her neck on 8 May 2022. The matter was heard in court on 20 January 2025 and was postponed to 30 January after the accused applied for a Section 49G(3) application.
Section 49G(3) of the Correctional Services Act of 1998 in South Africa states that a remand detainee must be referred to court if their detention exceeds a specific period. It stipulates that the detention of remand detainees should not exceed two years. Action Society strongly condemns the court delays that have plagued this case, leading to the possibility that a murderer could be let out of jail.
BELLVILLE REGIONAL COURT
Aaliyah Chingy: Body tossed in a shallow grave
The murder case of Aaliyah Chingy, a 20-year-old woman, appeared in the Bellville Regional Court on 22 January 2025. Her body was discovered in a shallow grave in February 2023.
The main suspect, her boyfriend, was arrested and is still in police custody. The matter has been postponed to 3 March 2025 for legal representation.
