Elsies River mother's last words to son after brutal attack by boyfriend
Hermalise Wenn, 39, of Salberau, Elsies River was brutally murdered.
Image: Facebook
“Take care of your little brother and yourself, and you will be okay,” were the last words of Hermalise Wenn from Elsies River to her 16-year-old son, who tried to save her after she was allegedly stabbed and tortured by her boyfriend, who was out on parole despite a protection order against him.
The suspect, Clinton “ Duiwel” Moses made his first appearance at the Goodwood Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where he heard the matter was postponed to October 28 for a formal bail application.
The family described Moses, the father of her three-year-old child, as jealous and manipulative, and that their relationship was fuelled by violence and that Wenn had attempted leaving him only to make up with him again.
Moses is currently out on parole, following a 10-year sentence involving the stabbing of a young man in the same community.
Outraged activists and civil groups have expressed their disappointment in the justice system, citing that Wenn, who was a health care worker, had been failed by the “system” and was set be at court next month for her protection order case.
Wenn died on October 19 after being rushed to hospital.
It's alleged that Moses had tortured Wenn for several hours between October 18 and 19, stabbing her and leaving her brain dead.
Police spokesperson, Captain FC Van Wyk said Elsies River police registered a murder case following an assault and stabbing incident on Sunday at a premises in Granvue Avenue, Salberau, Elsies river.
“The 39 year old victim was taken to a nearby hospital by family members after being beaten and stabbed by her boyfriend. She later died due to injuries sustained,” he said.
“A 35-year old-male was arrested and will appear in the Goodwood Magistrates court once charged. The motive is believed to be domestic violence.”
Wenn’s cousin, Lee-Ann Stander who spoke with the Cape Argus said the victim’s son had tried to save her life and was allegedly chased by Moses who was apparently armed with a chainsaw.
She explained that Wenn had been alone with Moses on the fatal day and that her son became suspicious after visiting the house.
When he was apparently told by Moses that she was not there and allowed to check the premises, he became more suspicious and collected three friends to assist him in his search.
“They didn't knock and went inside the house," she said.
“When he saw them, he ran up to the room where the mommy is and he closed the door.
“The son tried to open the door.
“Hermalise came out of the room to get the toilet and held her breast and blood was coming down the stomach.
“He wanted to get his mother.
“He (Moses) stabbed the teen in the shoulder as he tried to get his mother.
“He could not get his mother and ran out with the others as the mother.
“In this yard he (Moses) got a chainsaw and chased after them.”
Stander said the community rushed to the scene and that Moses’ family also arrived, who managed to rush Wenn to hospital but that it was too late.
“The doctor said she was brain dead,” she added.
“In the bakkie on the way to hospital, she said her 16-year-old son that he must take care of the little brother and himself and that they will be okay.
“The doctor said he (Moses) tortured her the whole night and that she had bruises and stab wounds."
The family added that they had questioned why Wenn had gone back to Moses two weeks ago and believe that she feared for her life.
“He would call her when she went somewhere and say she must take a picture of who she was with,” Stander said.
Community activist, Claudine Coleridge, who has been assisting the family said the justice system had failed her: “The suspect has been abusing his girlfriend for a very long time. They were supposed to appear at Bishop Lavis court because she had a protection order. She laid charges charges against him and the police just never came.
“Women are not safe, police do not act on protection orders.”
Activist Charmen Gribi from Inspire Network said the community were reeling after two femicide cases in a year.
"In this latest case, a lady had a protection order. She did everything the system asks of women at risk, and yet the system was unable to protect her.
Inspire Network added it was calling for an urgent review of the protection order enforcement process."
Siya Monakali of Ilitha Labantu said the tragic incident exposed the disconnect between South Africa’s progressive legal frameworks and the reality of women who continue to face violence and death despite seeking legal protection.
MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais cited that the incident was a reminder that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) remain a grave and persistent problem in the country.
“The fact that Wenn had reportedly obtained a protection order that highlights the urgency with which we must interrogate not only the effectiveness of current protective mechanisms, but also the broader systemic and societal failures that continue to put women's lives at risk."