Cops accused of dragging feet in murder case

FAMILY members, friends and colleagues of Chareen Augustine, née May, 56, believe that the police are dragging their feet in investigating her murder.

The police opened a murder docket after her body was found with strangulation marks at her home in Stamford Street on August 20.

A family member who discovered her body after her children were unable to reach her, indicated that there were no signs of forced entry at the house.

“Augustine’s lungs had burst and the bones in her throat were broken due to the brute force that was exerted during the attack. The suspect even cut off her hair. She was dressed in nothing but her underwear. She was left in the bed and was covered with a blanket while the heater was left burning,” said the Family member.

A family friend and colleague, Beverley Samuels, stated that three weeks had passed without any arrest being made.

“It is unacceptable especially since Augustine was a victim of gender-based violence and the incident took place during Women’s Month. It is as if she is just another statistic. She was brutally killed and left to die alone. Her body was only found two days after she was murdered.”

Samuels added that the family had handed over information to the police regarding a possible suspect.

“We do not know if he is in town because there are rumours that he fled to Durban. He has not been called in for questioning. The suspect was in a relationship with Augustine and there was a long history of physical violence.”

Samuels believes that there are too many unanswered questions.

“Augustine obtained an interdict against the suspect. We were all surprised because we were all under the impression that she had terminated the relationship. The family has not disclosed the cruel manner in which she died to her mother as she is elderly and frail.

“The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is providing counselling to Augustine’s daughters. The rest of her immediate family are living in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Saldanha Bay.”

Samuels said that Augustine intended to leave Kimberley at the end of the year so that she could be with her daughters and grandchildren in Saldanha Bay

“Sadly, she never got this opportunity. A group of high school friends were planning a trip to Australia next year to celebrate our reunion.”

She added that Augustine was a vibrant person with a good sense of humour.

“She never hesitated to help anyone and always had a smile on her face. There was not a soul that did not love her. I will not be able to sleep peacefully until justice is served for a loving friend who became family. I feel emotionally drained and I have to force myself to get up in the morning.”

Alistair Augustine stated that he had not received any updates regarding progress on the case since his mother’s death.

“We were only informed that the cause of death was strangulation and that her windpipe was damaged. It is very frustrating that there does not appear to be any movement on the case. It is very frustrating for the bereaved family because we do not have any closure,” said Alistair.

He said that he had handed over photographs and previous cases that were made against the suspect by his mother to the police.

“During one of the many incidents of physical abuse, my mother’s jaw was broken after she was kicked in the face. I understand that she withdrew cases that she had made against him, but it should still be considered as evidence. It is possible that she withdrew the cases because she was threatened.”

Alistair stated that the family had spoken to eyewitnesses who claimed that they saw the suspect entering the house before his mother’s death.

“The police should inspect her bank records to trace whether any money was withdrawn from her account following her death. This case should be prioritised as it involved gender-based violence.”

The police had not provided a response by the time of publication.