Mother's heartbreaking plea: Why are Cytheria Rex's killers still unsentenced?

The mother of murdered 17-year-old Cytheria Rex is begging the judiciary to sentence her killers before the 17th anniversary of her murder.

Jacqueline Rex poured her heart out to the Cape Argus, stating she had enough of the close to 200 postponements in the case and has waited nearly a year for her killers to be sentenced.

"I am frustrated now, why must we wait so long, you cannot go from 16 years trying to finish the  case and a year to just get a sentencing," she said.

"Where have you heard anything like that?

"The guys have been found guilty, why can't they just get a sentence.

"Is it difficult to find another Magistrate or to appoint someone else?

"I am sure the previous Magistrate must have a decision in his records.

"I know it is not that easy but I know it isn't that difficulty either.

"I am tired, my family and friends also, we all feel the same. I am not happy."

Sentencing proceedings have been delayed since June after the Magistrate Deon Van der Spuy fell ill and was hospitalized.

The matter was postponed to August 26 for a new date after another Magistrate was assigned including having to familiarise himself with the matter.

This week, Eric Ntabazalila Regional Communications for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed a sentencing date was not set as yet due to a decision for it to be made.

“The matter has been postponed until September 22 for all the lawyers and Judicare to attend and to arrange a date for the sentencing," he said.

Virgil Sass, Oswill Grootboom, Imeraan Hendricks, Lee Cloete, and Rhonwan Rhode were convicted in November 2024.

Two other accused have since died.

Van der Spuy, who is wheelchair bound, was transferred from Blue Downs Magistrates Court to Strand Magistrates’ Court last year.

Earlier, the DA’s Nicholas Gotsell MP - DA NCOP Member on Security & Justice Gotsell wrote to the Minister of Justice  and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko  Kubayi, asking why Rex‘s case was not prioritised.

In response to Gotsell, the Minister said via a parliamentary question, that the main reason for the delay was due to the accused and systematic reasons, relating to lawyers and judicare, magistrates absenteeism, witnesses and typed court records.

Cytheria was stabbed more than 30 times and raped.

During judgement, the Magistrate detailed how the group had all played a role in her death following a party at Sass’s home in Kraaifontein in February 2009 and that they had tried to get rid of the body by throwing it over the wall.

And when they were not successful they placed her into a wheelie bin and dumped her body onto the field.

DNA evidence including a crucial testimony from a witness sealed the men’s fate.

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