1 minute read
“Acid suspect” abandons bail amid siege
from XPRESS TIMES
by Ahmed Desai
By Xpress Reporter
The suspect in the gruesome acid attack case has abandoned bail application, amid raging picketing outside KwaDukuza Magistrate's Court. The woman from Charlottedale appeared briefly in court on Wednesday last week, where she was expected to apply for bail. She was arrested following the widely publicized attack on Groutville High School
Advertisement
Thabethe, who was doused with a substance suspected to be dangerous acid. Thabethe sustained serious burn wounds throughout her body, and is currently receiving treatment in hospital.
The woman's two daughters were still being sought by police, in connection with the same matter.
In a picket
General Gizenga Mpanza Region, hundreds of schoolchildren joined ANCYL, EFF and community members to put pressure on the court to deny the woman bail. The case was postponed to April 25. Outside court, protestors called for justice for the victim, whose life has been severely disrupted. ANCYL Regional Secretary Xolani Skade said it was disappointing to see women being involved in acts of heinous violence, especially against such a young girl.
“As the ANC Youth League in this region we want to see justice happening in this matter. Secondly we want to oppose bail for the accused in this case. Also, we are saying that those who are implicated in this matter, and are still out there, must be arrested, so that justice will be served.
“We are also calling for an end to gender based violence.
We are here with young people to ensure that justice is done, and we want to monitor this case until the end.
“As ANC and the ANCYL we wish to stress that we strongly condemn acts of violence within communities. We wish to encourage and instil in our communities the spirit of tolerance and respect for each other. In the absence of a strong moral compass, incidents such as this one will keep occurring. We urge people to respect each other, show tolerance and learn to resolve disputes in a civilised manner,” Skade stated.
The protestors were joined by senior leaders, including KwaDukuza Mayor Lindile Nhaca, ANC Regional Secretary Siphesihle Zulu, Member of the KZN Legislature Phumlile Zulu, ANC REC member Notha Maphumulo and ANC Regional Organizer Thulani Ngcobo, among others.
