Oyster Festival murder: Family wants answers

KNYSNA NEWS - Family and friends of Jared Lomas who was tragically killed in Knysna during the Knysna Oyster Festival on Sunday morning, July 12, want answers and justice sooner rather than later, yet none are forthcoming.

A 23-year-old man was charged with the murder of Lomas and appeared in a Knysna court on July 13, but the case was struck off the roll until such time as further investigation is done by the police. He was released from police custody and went home with his parents.

This week, the Knysna-Plett Herald was told by Captain Malcolm Pojie of SAPS Media Centre in the Southern Cape office, that the police's investigation into the case is still ongoing and that a docket has not yet been submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Until such time as this is done, the court case cannot proceed.

At the time of of Lomas's death, the SAPS released a statement saying, "It was alleged that the suspect was seated in his white and grey Colt bakkie in Long Street, Knysna on Sunday morning at approximately 01:50. The suspect allegedly took the deceased, 22-year-old Jared Lomas by his collar and drove the bakkie while still holding [on to] the deceased. The deceased fell and landed under one of the wheels. He was taken to a hospital in Knysna where he was declared dead on arrival."

Lomas was, at the time, working at the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival for events company Ignite Events.

His father Lloyd Lomas told the Knysna-Plett Herald this week: "The family and friends are still finding it hard. We all know that we need to move forward. Jared would want us to do this. This still doesn't make it easy. I have said from the beginning that the law must do its job but it concerns me that it's taking so long."

Lomas's girlfriend of nearly four years, Retha Smit's mother, also Retha Smit, said this week that her daughter is still battling.

"She is trying very hard, seeing a psychologist and trying to get on with her studies. We are keeping in touch with the detectives and expect results. We want this case to go back to court and to see justice," said Smit.

Jared Lomas's best friend Heinrich Painczyk said: "I am extremely disappointed in our justice system. How is it that someone who committed such a crime is allowed to walk the streets? It is unfair to us as friends, to the family and it’s unfair to Jared! He needs his justice! The person responsible needs to pay for what he has done and needs to face his judgement here on earth, but his ultimate judgement will come later in the afterlife."

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ARTICLE: ELAINE KING, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD - EDITOR

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