Mother of gender-based violence victim from Mitchell’s Plain

Lorraine Saman from Mitchell’s Plain, who wished to be identified, said that her daughter was killed by her ex-boyfriend while at home with her children in October 2016. Lorraine’s daughter had “reported him to the police but nothing was done about it.” Had the police provided her daughter with the urgent help that she had requested from them, including by a restraining order on her ex-boyfriend, “it could’ve turned out differently,” Lorraine said.

Although, Lorraine said, he was identified by a child who witnessed the murder, and blood was found on his shirt, he was released on bail and at the time of the interview was still free.

“The case was investigated but I never got any development from the prosecutor. Then they said they are going to start a new case.”

In 2023, police arrested the alleged perpetrator due to his failure to attend court. In early 2024, Lorraine appeared in court in the case against her daughter’s ex-boyfriend. This marked eight years since the case was first heard in court. Since then, she has not had any updates from the investigating officer about the case.