Dear Editor
On the 6th of November 2021 Rudi Koopman was stabbed to death in New Road, Macassar. The mother, Ursula Koopman, of the deceased, reported the matter to the Macassar SAPS but has not received a case number, nor has she received any feedback yet. When she visited Macassar SAPS station on the 25th November they could not provide feedback on her case. She does not know if the case was ever opened.
She says she feels hurt because the alleged perpetrator is walking freely in the community and is not facing any consequences. There are many witnesses that are willing to come forward, but there is no effort being made by Macassar SAPS.
She is also unable to bury her son because she cannot afford it and because there are technical matters which has to be resolved.
She eventually turned to her local Ward Councillor, Peter Helfrich, whom she says immediately came to her aid and intervened.
“It is not acceptable that the alleged perpetrator is walking around freely in our community and is not being brought to book. I will be liaising with SAPS on an urgent basis to get to the bottom of this and to ensure that there is justice for Rudi and the family. It is not acceptable that the family has had to wait this long for action to be taken. I will not rest, and will stand with this family, until there is justice for the murder of Rudi.” – Councllor Helfrich
“I have also liaised with the City so that we can provide assistance to the family to bury Rudi with dignity” – Councillor Helfrich
“I am very saddened by the fact that an innocent person’s life can so easily be taken. Something like this should never happen to anyone, and as a community, we must take a firm stand against criminals. We cannot allow criminality like this to continue in this ward. The alleged perpetrator must face the full might of the law.” – Councillor Helfrich
Regards
Peter Helfrich
Councillor
NAC overspends by almost R200m