Innocent victim honoured by community

Update

KNYSNA NEWS - Roughly 150 members of the community gathered at St James Memorial Square on Sunday 31 July to bid a final farewell to 20-year-old Nakeesha Paulse who was killed in a tragic incident in Knysna's Main Road (N2), on Sunday 24 July.

A beautiful memorial service was held to honour Nakeesha, known to her friends and loved ones as 'Keesha'.

It was a touching service, with prayers and speeches from spiritual and community leaders alike. Songs of praise and love filled the air as Keesha's life was lovingly remembered.

There will be a second memorial service for Nakeesha on Thursday 4 August at 18:00 in the Hornlee Civic Hall. Her funeral will take place this weekend.

The man who has been accused of being responsible for Paulse's death is 35-year-old Hornlee resident Ricardo Damons, who was taken into custody directly after the incident on Sunday 24 July, at about 02:00.

According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Capt Malcolm Pojie, the incident followed an altercation in a night club that involved Damons and other club-goers.

"The fight continued and expanded to the outside, whereafter the suspect allegedly jumped into his vehicle and sped towards the people he fought with. He missed them and hit the bystanders," Pojie explained.

It is thought that Damons lost control of his Toyota single cab bakkie and hit the wrong group of people. Pojie indicated that the three individuals who were injured in the incident - two men and Nakeesha's mother, Natasha - were admitted to Knysna Provincial Hospital. Natasha was later transferred to George Hospital where she continues to recover after some surgical procedures.

Roughly 150 people attended Keesha's memorial service.

Bail

Damons was initially charged with murder and appeared in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on Monday 25 July.

The case was postponed to Wednesday 26 July for his bail application, but later postponed to Thursday 27 July for the continuation thereof. Since being charged with murder, Damons has had six charges added to his charge sheet - five charges of attempted murder as well as a charge of reckless/negligent driving - to bring his total number of charges to seven.

The incident caused widespread outcry from the community, who demanded that Damons be denied bail. According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila, the NPA also opposed Damons being granted bail.

"He was granted bail of R20 000 despite our concerted opposition of him being granted bail. We even brought it to the court's attention that he has a previous conviction for running into a woman with his vehicle and we even showed the court the petition with 188 signatures opposing bail," Ntabazalila said.

"The accused has not pleaded. He has indicated that he is going to plead not guilty." The case has been remanded to 28 September for further investigation.

Roughly 150 people attended Keesha's memorial service.