MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The KwaNonqaba Police have arrested a man in his early forties for allegedly murdering Jolandy Kiewiet (37) at a house in Calitzdorp Street, Asla Park in the early hours of January 24.
Kiewiet's body was found by a neighbour who went to the house to collect laundry. Her body was found lying in the doorway. It had several bruises and scratches as well as cuts on her upper eyelid and ear. The cause of death will be determined by a post mortem and forensics taken from the crime scene.
It is alleged that Kiewiet was the victim of repeated domestic violence. In 2014 she was badly cut when stabbed with a broken bottle, but she allegedly forgave the perpetrator, her boyfriend, after they had talked about the incident. Kiewiet leaves behind four children, three of whom are currently in the care an aunt.
The children's father works offshore and only learnt of the murder when he arrived home on Monday afternoon.
The investigating officer, Wo Archer of the KwaNonqaba Police, told the Mossel Bay Advertiser that a suspect was arrested on Monday and appeared in the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, 28 January.
Yolandi Kiewiet will be buried on Saturday, 31 January from 5030 Nontinana Street, Asla Park. The family is in dire need of assistance, also financially, as the funeral policy Kiewiet's had had lapsed earlier last year. Anyone who can assist, is asked to contact Mariana Schoeman on 078 818 8867. Schoeman now cares for the deceased's three under-aged children until other arrangements can be made.
The KwaNonqaba Police spokesperson, Sgt Kapp, urged victims of domestic violence to protect themselves and their children, if applicable, by obtaining a protection order from the local magistrate's court.
Anybody who has suffered abuse, whether it is physical violence; sexual abuse; emotional, verbal or mental maltreatment; wilfully withholding financial resources; intimidation; harassment; stalking; damage to property; controlling or abusive behaviour; where such conduct harms the safety, health or well-being of the complainant.
Anybody who is or was in a family, love, intimate or sexual relationship, irrespective of whether they were married or merely cohabitated or shared a family home, may apply for a protection order from the local Magistrate's Court, or after hours at the closest police station.
The magistrate will grant a interim court order indicating a future date upon which all parties will have to appear in court. Both parties will then be given an opportunity to address the magistrate who will then decide whether the protection order will be made final.
If the order was made final, it remains in force for life and is enforced across all of South Africa. It may only be altered if an application is lodged through the prescribed channels.
If any of the parties do not adhere to the determinations of the protection order, the applicant should take the final protection order to the closest police station and lodge a complaint. The police has to open a docket and investigate the complaint.
"Domestic violence is escalating in our communities and has to stop. Victims must empower and protect themselves by obtaining a protection order and have the police help them to enforce the court's instructions," Sgt Kapp said. He invited the community of KwaNonqaba to contact Wo Cupido at the KwaNonqaba Police station on 044 606 5617 with any questions in this regard.
Yolandi Kiewiet (37) was murdered
in the early hours of Saturday, 24 January
in Asla Park. She leaves behind four children.
ARTICLE: NICKEY LE ROUX, MOSSEL BAY ADVERTISER JOURNALIST
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