'When will I get justice?' Mother of slain Xavier Mitchell demands justice as murder case drags on

"When will justice be served?"

That is the frustrated cry of slain Xavier Mitchell's mother, a year after he was brutally stabbed to death at the home of his nanny.

Sylvia Mitchell told the Cape Argus sister newspaper, the Daily Voice that the latest court appearance of accused Mervyn White on August 1 at the Bishop Lavis Magistrate's Court left her angry as she cannot understand why the case is dragging.

The 5-year-old boy from Bishop Lavis was left in the care of his nanny, who is also their neighbour on August 7, 2024.

At the time of his murder, it was revealed that White is the brother of the nanny, and when she went to the toilet and left Xavier with the suspect, he was stabbed three times in the back.

The court heard that White is still awaiting a psychiatric evaluation at Valkenberg Hospital, as he suffers from some kind of psychosis.

Mitchell said: “I can’t understand why things are taking so long, why nothing is moving in my son’s case. He is going to be gone a year on August 7 and still the case is at the magistrate’s court. In my room, there is a photo of Xavier and every day I look at his face and I ask myself, ‘when is justice going to be served?'. That child is looking back at me and he is smiling. That was the child, he was a happy go lucky child.”

She added that Xavier’s younger brother has the same face as his brother and witnessed the stabbing incident.

The heartbroken mother said while the accused waits for an evaluation, the investigation into the matter has been “paused”.

Bishop Lavis Crime Prevention Forum chairperson, Graham Lindhorst, said a blind eye cannot be turned and that his life cannot be forgotten.

“A year past and still the alleged perpetrator has still not appeared before a judge to tell Xavier’s mother, father, and the community what he did to Xavier and why he did it.

“It is with this in mind that a memorial march is planned in the quest in looking for answers. It is also to highlight the lack of progress with the murder case,” Lindhorst said. 

Members of the community who are able to attend the memorial on August 9 are asked to bring a candle and a flower in honour of Xavier.

The march will start at the family’s home in Sky Road, Bishop Lavis at 1pm and will proceed to the Belhar Cemetery.

Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.

Cape Argus