The grieving mother of a woman who was murdered in Montagu says she is still struggling to process the fact that her daughter is gone. Her daughter, Shimoné Fluks, was stabbed to death on Saturday, allegedly at the hands of her boyfriend.
The suspect, 32-year-old Jacques Swanepoel, has since been arrested. He made his first court appearance at the Montagu Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where he was charged with murder. He allegedly stabbed Fluks in her neck after an argument.
The victim’s mother, Glissenda Fluks, told Smile 90.4 FM that her daughter had been trapped in an abusive relationship. The mother of one had been trying to escape the clutches of her abuser for months but felt she could not get away from him in the small town they lived in. The femicide occurred just days after the country concluded its 16 Days of Activism against GBV and femicide campaign.
READ MORE: Montagu Police investigate murder of 32-year-old woman stabbed to death
The mourning mother fought back tears while speaking about her daughter, who was well-loved.
“I am not angry at God for taking my child away, because we never know when our time is coming…but the manner in which my child died…”
The family also confirmed that she had repeatedly been physically assaulted during her one-year rocky relationship with Swanepoel. Back in March 2024, the man reportedly stabbed her and a criminal complaint was laid. Relatives say he was then released on bail, and the victim felt prompted to ensure that the case was withdrawn.
“He had an obsession with her. She did not want to be with him anymore, because he abused her. My husband and I went to bed on Friday night, and Saturday morning a friend of hers called us to say her father must come immediately. By the time my husband arrived, she was already dead”.
Shimoné’s close friend and brother’s girlfriend, Elmarie Toontjies, said Fluks was like a sister to her. Toontjies said the 32-year-old had planned to visit her on Sunday, in order to get away from Swanepoel. The 35-year-old maintains that she is at peace with her friend’s passing and not angered by what had transpired.
“What I have learned in life is that two wrongs do not make a right. However, it is painful—very painful—because she was my friend, someone I hung out with in Montagu. The bond I had with her is something I’ve never even experienced with my own sisters. We could talk about everything, and we especially shared stories about our relationships. I am not angry; I am leaving it all in God’s hands. However, justice must prevail.”
The accused has been remanded in custody and is expected to return to court his bail bid, on Tuesday 24 December 2024.
Shimoné, who leaves behind a ten-year-old daughter, will be laid to rest on Saturday, 21 December 2024. A viewing will be held at her parental home at 10:00, followed by the funeral service at Montagu Community Hall at 11:00.”
All quotes have been translated from Afrikaans to English
