While the long-awaited start of the trial into the rape of Gauteng businesswoman Andy Kawa was delayed on Monday, a special message from fellow rape survivor, Alison Botha offered some encouragement.
Kawa, 62, was set to testify in the Gqeberha High Court on Monday, but she will have to wait another 24 hours to take the stand.
On 9 December 2010, Kawa was abducted while walking along Kings Beach and gang raped for a period of 15 to 16 hours.
It took the police more than 13 years to arrest the accused, who still cannot be named until he has pleaded.
The breakthrough came in June 2023, when the accused's DNA on the possession of suspected stolen property case matched that of Kawa's rape case in 2010.
It then took another seven months to effect his arrest.
Also read: Major breakthrough in Andy Kawa rape case
Alison's message
On Monday Alison, who had her throat slit and was disemboweled during her own gang-rape ordeal in 1994, sent Kawa a voice note (via attorney Tania Koen) to encourage her and to let her know that she was not alone.
Alison is still recovering after suffering an aneurysm in September last year.
In the voice note, Alison tells Kawa that she is there with her in spirit, along with so many other women.
"You are not standing there alone by any means, because so many women never even get their chance to get to a courtroom.
"You do it for them, you do it for yourself, even if all it is is just having the chance to say your say."
Trial delayed by a day
When the case was called, State Advocate Ismat Cerfontein informed Judge Phillip Zilwa that the defence was requesting a postponement.
Defence Advocate Xolile Bodlo informed the court that he needed time to consult with his client.
According to Bodlo, he had to cut a previous consultation short, because his client was under the influence of medication.
He said the medicine that was administered to his client made him feel drowsy, to the point that he was uneasy on his feet and staggering.
The accused also informed Bodlo that he was seeing double.
Cerfontein had no objection to Bodlo's request, and the case was postponed to Tuesday.
Disappointed
Speaking on behalf of her mother, Kawa's daughter, Celiwe, said justice delayed is justice denied.
"In this case, justice has been delayed for over 14 years.
"Some people might ask what is just another 24 hours, but after 14 years another 24 hours is a lot."
Celiwe further said the emotional and psychological toll of her mother having to prepare for Monday only to hear there is another 24-hour wait was "incredibly shocking."
Charges
The accused faces eight charges of rape, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and theft.
The theft charge pertains to the incident on 7 June 2020 where the accused allegedly stole a lawnmower from a home in Newton Park.
His DNA-sample that later matched Kawa's rape case was taken when he was arrested for the lawnmower incident.
