This week, mothers have been the victims of violent sons in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. It is evident that gender-based violence within South Africa has been a major problem for years and has only been exacerbated by a global pandemic and numerous lockdowns.
On Thursday, tragedy struck in the township of Khayelitsha after a mother was allegedly killed by her own son, as per News24.
The reason for the murder is equally sad and bizarre, as a neighbour states the mother lost her life after she forgot to charge her son’s cellphone. According to the witness, the mother had been busy with something else when her son attacked her.
Read also: Mother dies at the hands of her son for not charging his phone
This news has been followed by reports that another son accused of murdering his mother, Shakoor Roberts, has been found not guilty at the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court due to a lack of evidence, reports IOL.
Roberts has been on trial for six years, with the mammoth trial ending in disappointment for the family of the 61-year old whose body was found decomposing in a garbage bin outside of her home in Tafelsig in March, 2015.
Neighbours, who became suspicious of a foul smell, found her body which had been washed after death.
The decision that Roberts is not guilty has left many in shock, with audio recordings of an alleged confession deemed inaudible by several witness statements. However, Gafsa, Roberts’ mother, had told friends and family that she feared for her life and was physically and emotionally abused.
As well as this, Magistrate Mary Jacwu said the State did bring enough evidence to prove their case such as proper medical reports, audio transcribing and reliable witnesses.
The magistrate ruled the following.
“The investigating officer was to have sent the cellphone. That the State prosecutor obtained the recording but did not follow procedure. The recording was jumbled and did not make sense after translation. The State prosecutor was to have followed up on certain aspects such as the transcribing of the recording but failed to do so.”
It has also been reported that the intersect taken out in 2015 had incorrect dates by the then magistrate. It was, in turn, deemed unreliable. Also deemed unreliable were witness statements from Rushaana Adams, daughter of the deceased, and her husband.
The State then had to get an official doctor’s report. Here, the details of her strangulation were given.
Roberts has since denied speaking to relatives who made the alleged cellphone audio recording.
Roberts’ family have spoken out against him. His cousin, Jamia Daniels said the following.
“The State prosecutor who presided over the case wasn’t even present today.
“We are so shocked. The State let us down as a family, the State failed us. My dad is taking it bad. The cause of death was strangulation. They could have proved there was abuse.”
Meanwhile, Robert’s own sister has fought to keep her brother behind bars. According to the Weekend Argus, she told the news that her brother was destructive and violent, stealing electrical writing to plumbing and destroyed various parts of the house.
It is reported that the reason for murdering his mother came down to a dispute over ownership of the house, which belonged to Gafsa – a house which was sold shortly after the murder.
So, how has Roberts dodged a life behind bars? He is apparently schizophrenic, being deemed mentally fit to stand trial.
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Picture: Unsplash