Cape Town - A group of residents from Wynberg were due to protest Monday morning against the granting of bail to a man who allegedly viciously attacked children’s author Dianne Case while she tried to help him.
The attack happened just three days into the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children. Case was stabbed about 14 times by the man, who she gave a place to stay to help get him on his feet.
The man, 31, was to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court, where he faces a charge of attempted murder.
Case, 63, who has been volunteering at Pollsmoor Prison for 10 years, was set to join other residents at court opposing bail.
Speaking to the Cape Argus at her home Case said the only reason she survived the near fatal attack was because she fought back.
“I’d like that during the 16 Days of Activism drive that anyone who inflicts violence on a woman or child automatically does not get bail. That should disqualify you for bail.”
A week ago, the man went to Case’s home pretending to need a lift to get to an ATM where he would withdraw money he said he owed Case.
He first said he wanted a Nedbank ATM, but when the car approached the nearest garage with the specific machine, he changed his mind and wanted a Capitec machine.
Along the way he asked Case to stop the car. She parked at the Wynberg Park where he started crying.
“He then asked me to go with him to the toilet but I refused. He said ‘let’s go to a garage’ so he could use a toilet.
“We drove off. As I was about to turn the corner of Claassen and Waterloo roads, I looked to see if I could turn right, and when I looked back he was over me with a knife,” she said.
Case sustained 14 stab wounds, some to the neck, hands and one to the back of her head.
“He said he wanted to slit my throat. I fought him off and jumped out of the car with blood gushing over my head and face,” she said. A gardener wrapped his shirt around her neck, and a good Samaritan gave her a lift to Victoria Hospital.
Children's author, Dianne Case, is opposing bail for the man who stabbed her 14 times. He will be appearing at the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Monday on attempted murder charges. Video: Zodidi Dano/Cape Argus
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed the arrest was made on the same day, November 28. He said the man was in Pollsmoor Prison and was appearing for a bail application.
Case met her attacker through a Wynberg police officer. She had been looking for tenants for her ex-husband’s home in Pelican Park. The police officer is the man’s uncle.
Her attacker was going to move into the house with his wife and children. He was to do minor repairs to it.
“I gave him R1200 for some materials but he didn’t do the work. In two months the only thing he did was put four unmatched tiles in the kitchen.”
The man ended up not moving in due to his own personal issues. He, however, demanded a R5000 payment for the four tiles he put in.
Case’s daughter, Maxine Case, said they feared for her mother’s safety if the man is released. They have done R18000 in security upgrades to her home. “We don’t want him to get bail. He knows where my mother lives.”