Nandipha Makeke case resumes in Khayelitsha Magistrates Court on 5 March

The trial of the alleged rapists and murderers of TAC member Nandipha Makeke continued in the Khayelitsha Magistrates Court on 5 March.

TAC mobilisation against gender-based violence continues

On Tuesday 26 February 2008 approximately 60 TAC members gathered outside the Khayelitsha Magistrates Court yet again to lend support to the family of Nandpiha Makeke (a TAC activist who was murdered and raped on 16 December 2005) and to protest against gender based violence. The case has been repeatedly heard and postponed since 2005 leading to over 20 court appearances on different dates, spanning over two years. Evidence was finally heard with two positive outcomes.

Accused number one gave a confession shortly after the original assault which he has since attempted to withdraw. The presiding judge dismissed his alternative account and judged the confession to be “fairly given, without coercion, and fully admissible.” Secondly, the DNA evidence taken from semen at the scene was not contested and judged admissible. Due to the failure of one of the defence lawyers to read a relevant  submission the case was postponed again until 5 March 2008. TAC activists will once again gather inside and outside the Khayelitsha Magistrates Court to ensure justice is done.