Lobby group Action Society is calling for the denial of bail for Jacques Swanepoel, the man accused of murdering 32-year-old Shimoné Fluks in a brutal stabbing on Saturday. The mother-of-one was reportedly attacked by her boyfriend, who, according to family members, has a history of abusing Fluks.

It is believed that the tragic incident occurred after an argument between the couple, which escalated into violence. Fluks attempted to seek help by running to a nearby house, but tragically died in a pool of blood. She was declared dead at the scene, leaving behind a 10-year-old daughter.

Swanepoel appeared before the Montagu Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and is scheduled to return to court on 24 December 24. In response to the horrific crime, Kaylynn Palm, head of Action Society’s Action Centre, voiced the organisation’s outrage.

READ MORE: Grieving mother speaks out after daughter’s murder in Montagu

“She is not just a number, a statistic, she was a mother, a daughter and a friend. It angers us that women are not safe, and that the bodies of women in this country are crime scenes. In the latest crime statistics, over a period of three months, July and September 2024, a total of 957 women were murdered, that’s 11 per day,” said Palm.

Palm’s comments come just days after the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which highlights the alarming rates of gender-based violence in South Africa.

“Action Society is calling on the courts to take the matter seriously – and that he not be granted bail. Furthermore, we demand that more stringent action is taken to protect the women and children of this country. These crimes need to be prioritised,” Palm concluded.

READ MORE: Montagu Police investigate murder of 32-year-old woman stabbed to death