Community rallies for justice after mother’s murder in Mitchell's Plain

Three suspects who were arrested and charged with the murder of a mother who was stabbed and her body dumped at the Wolfgat Nature Reserve in Mitchell's Plain, may not be identified until they complete an identity parade.

The trio made their first appearance in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate's Court on Thursday, where they are facing charges of murder and attempted murder.

The State is set to prove that the group stabbed 29-year-old Clare Swartz in the neck and attacked her boyfriend with a knife a week ago.

Swartz's father, Francois Swartz, told the Cape Argus sister newspaper, Daily Voice, that the mother of one was walking with her boyfriend at night to purchase drugs when they were attacked by five men.

Swartz was stabbed multiple times in the neck while her boyfriend who was also knifed, managed to get away with his life.

The dad said he had not seen his daughter for two months as she was living with her boyfriend at his mother’s home.

Inside court, angry community members and gender-based violence activists gathered to show support for Swartz and her boyfriend.

The court heard that the men are scheduled for an identity parade and will make their next appearance on September 1.

Lynn Philipps, of the Cape Flats Safety Forum, said another young child has been left without a mother following the brutal murder.

“As CFSF we firstly want to extend our condolences to the bereaved family of the young mother Clare who lost her life brutally,” she said.

“We condemn all acts of brutality and violence in the strongest way against women and children.

"This is now a baby without the care of a mother which needs the care and love of a mother.

"This type of behaviour is unacceptable, it doesn't give anyone the right to violate a women's right like this.

“We are expecting that the judiciary will take into account its Women's Month and also look at the child who is now an orphan and the child's rights should also be looked at as the child will grow up without a mother and so much trauma and anger when they get older.

"We trust that the authorities and SAPS detectives will make sure the statements are of high quality so we can't have another case thrown due to no evidence.

“It's sad to also note that the alleged suspects showed no remorse whilst in the District Court.

"We strongly feel that the judiciary and National Prosecuting Authority should also look at their behaviour whilst they are in custody.”

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