Norman Afzal Simons, dubbed the “Station Strangler”, is set to be released from prison after 28 years.
A killer had terrorised Cape Flats communities between 1986 and 1994. Fear peaked when 22 boys were found buried in shallow sandy graves, face down with their hands tied behind their backs. There were signs they had been sodomised.
The former teacher was convicted and sentenced to 35 years for the murder and abduction of one of the boys, Elroy van Rooyen. The Supreme Court of Appeal increased his sentence to life behind bars in 1998.
According to media reports, Simons could be released in the next 10 days. But Candice van Reenen, spokesperson for the department of correctional services, could not be drawn to comment about Simon’s pending release.
“We are interacting with the victims and community and will therefore not make any comment at this stage,” said Van Reenen.
Publicist Chris Louw urged the media to “respect” Simon’s rights. Louw’s father, late advocate Koos Louw, represented Simons.
Granting him the space and privacy necessary to rebuild his life can foster an environment where he can potentially reintegrate into society and work towards becoming a contributing member.
— Chris Louw
“The release of Norman Simons from incarceration is indeed a newsworthy and noteworthy event,” said Louw.
“Understandably, there is immense interest, and a broad spectrum of emotions are surfacing for many people. However, it is important to remember that he has now served his sentence and is legally entitled to re-enter society as a free individual. At this critical time, I implore everyone to show compassion and respect the fundamental rights of Mr Simons.”
Louw said “excessive media attention often leads to the perpetuation of a cycle of fear, misinformation, and sensationalism”.
“Part of the misinformation is that he is the Station Strangler, which was never proved. My father, advocate Koos Louw, was Mr Simons’s legal representative,” he said.
“In 1995, Mr Simons was found guilty of murdering a boy, Elroy van Rooyen, a charge to which he had pleaded not guilty. However, the court rejected arguments that his confession was made under duress and that an eyewitness identification was weak.
“My father may have been wrong, but he viewed this rejection as a travesty of justice and believed in Mr Simons’s innocence until his death in 2016. I kindly request that everyone exercises caution by refraining from engaging in practices that invade Mr Simons’s privacy or excessively sensationalise his release. By doing so, we can collectively work towards fostering an environment that promotes fairness, understanding, and, most importantly, the safety of all individuals involved. I hope that you will consider my plea for privacy and act responsibly in your coverage of this matter.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.