The accused, 40-year-old Ms Nellie Senwametsi, appeared in the C Court in front of Magistrate Howard Raath on a charge of assaulting a minor. She was neatly dressed in a denim jacket, jeans and big hoop earrings. After a short appearance, the case was postponed until 31 March for further investigation. Senwametsi’s bail was extended.
She appeared in a courtroom that was so packed that there were not enough seats for everyone who wanted to see what was going on.
The hallway in front of the courtroom was also packed with people, which included representatives of the SAVF, the NGOs Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA), Bikers Against Bullies and various other concerned community members.
“This is really hard for us. My child is not okay,” said the mother of one of Senwametsi’s little victims outside court,
After Senwametsi’s appearance, the people attending the case also packed the court’s other entrance in Eggo Jan Street, where she was expected to leave the premises.
The angry people chanted and waved one of the posters that WMACA had put up in front of court earlier the morning.
WMACA’s executive director, Mr Kevin Barbeau, told the Herald that the organisation had successfully met with members of the Westonaria FCS (Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences) Unit to discuss adding further charges on Monday.
This follows the organisation’s successful meeting at Westfields Primary School on Friday. During this event, more parents came out with information about the happenings at the Ninnie’s Neurons, where the abuse took place.