Plett murder: 'shell-shocked' crowd gather at court

Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A group of Plettenberg Bay residents gathered at the local magistrate’s court on Thursday 1 February to support the family and loved ones of the Schoongezicht murder victim when her alleged killer took his place in the dock for the first time.

The naked and bruised body of the Knysna Sedgefield Hospice nurse Penny Cumming was found in her Schoongezicht home in Piesang Valley Road, Plettenberg Bay at about 05:00 on 29 January.

Police believe she had been strangled and raped and her Volvo SUV stolen.

Her vehicle, which had been set alight and partially destroyed, was found in Nekkies, Knysna later that day.

Following cooperation between various security stakeholders, her alleged killer – who was identified on CCTV footage leaving the complex during the morning of the murder – was tracked down and arrested the following day in Kwanokuthula where he was hiding near a school.

The man, who cannot be named until he has pleaded due to the sexual nature of the crime, briefly appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court two days later and charged with murder, rape and theft.

During his court appearance he indicated that he intended to apply for bail through a legal aid lawyer.

The matter was then postponed to 21 February for a formal bail application.

The suspect remains in custody until then.

Before the court proceedings got under way, a large group of resident gathered outside the court to show their support and to honour those involved in tracking down and arresting Cumming's alleged killer.

Local resident Gay Clark, who had appealed to the public to show their support, commented, “Those who attended were still shell shocked, sad and speechless about what had happened,” Clark said.

The group then packed the court gallery along with Cumming’s friends and family in an attempt to convey to the court how shocked the community was about the attack.

Among those who attended included Bitou deputy mayor Jessica Kamkam and Monica Seyisi from the ANC Women’s League.

Clark has again called on the public to gather at court on 21 February to take a stand against the accused's release on bail.

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ARTICLE: YOLANDÉ STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD CORRESPONDENT

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