WES-KAAP. – Shireena Birch van Bonteheuwel het Dinsdagmiddag ná ‘n voorval in Assegaailaan, waartydens sy glo met ’n mes gesteek is, gesterf. Die slagoffer het steekwonde aan die kop en agterkant van haar skouer opgedoen en is met aankoms in ‘n hospitaal dood verklaar. Boodskappe van medelye stroom op sosiale media in.
Kapt. Frederick van Wyk, polisiewoordvoerder, sê aan Nuusflits die Bishop Lavis-polisie het ’n moordsaak geregistreer en ondersoeke na die omstandighede van die aanval is aan die gang. Die motief vir die mesaanval is tans onbekend. Enigeen met inligting word versoek om na vore te kom.
Raadslid Angus McKenzie, wat die slagoffer goed geken het, het die moord op sosiale media as “verskriklik en hartverskeurend” beskryf. Hy sê Shireena Birch was passievol oor haar gemeenskap en ’n toegewyde vennoot in pogings om Bonteheuwel veiliger te maak. McKenzie het aangekondig dat alle beskikbare wetstoepassingshulpbronne ingespan word om die man wat van die aanval verdink word, op te spoor, en dat hy nie borgtog sal kry as hy gevang word nie.
“Ons treur vandag oor Shireena Birch, maar môre veg ons vir geregtigheid in haar naam,” het McKenzie gesê.
Lees Mckenzie se plasing hier onder:
I write this post with absolute disgust, absolute horror, and absolute pain at the brutal murder of an incredible woman, Shireena Birch.
Earlier today, I was informed of the tragic and violent attack on Shireena that ultimately led to her murder.
This is not a name I speak lightly. I knew Shireena well. She visited my office on numerous occasions. She was a partner of mine in the work of making Bonteheuwel a better, safer place. She was present, committed, and deeply passionate about her community.
And yet, despite knowing her, despite working alongside her, I did not know the extent of the abuse, the assault, the pain, and the trauma that Shireena endured daily at the hands of the man who was meant to protect her, her husband.
As I write this, I have requested that every single police officer and law enforcement resource available in the area must search relentlessly and leave no stone unturned in locating the husband who is alleged to have carried out or orchestrated this heinous act.
He will be found.
I will sorely miss Shireena.
I will miss her laughter.
I will miss her passion for her community.
I will miss the deep love she carried for her family.
Let me be absolutely clear, I will be at the forefront of ensuring that when the perpetrator of this horrendous crime is brought before the courts, bail is never, ever an option.
Justice must be firm, swift, and uncompromising.
My advice to him is simple, hand yourself over. Every moment you delay only deepens the consequences that await you.
Shireena’s murder must serve as a clarion call to every woman:
Your smile, your strength, your joy, and your passion should never be used to mask pain, fear, or trauma inflicted by your own partner. You are not weak for speaking. You are not alone for asking for help. And your life is worth more than silence.
Today, we mourn Shireena Birch.
Tomorrow, we fight for justice, in her name.
Cllr Angus McKenzie #AngusCares
@top fans
