Harper’s Story
19 February 2025
Report to Childline
The mother was reported to Childline for emotional instability, aggression and exposing the child to violence and emotional harm.
21 February 2025
Cape Town Children’s Court
An application for a protection order on behalf of a minor was filed at the Cape Town Children’s Court.
5 March 2025
First Contact From the Social Worker
There had been no communication from the social workers since the application was filed.
12 March 2025
Preliminary Hearing
The Applicant was not given an opportunity to be heard or participate in the proceedings.
28 April 2025
Midnight Message From the Nanny
At approximately 23h30, the nanny borrowed a neighbour’s phone to ask for the social worker’s contact details.
8 May 2025
Mother’s Interim Protection Order Application
The Respondent’s attorneys, despite having been paid and having received her draft opposing affidavit six weeks earlier, failed to file it.
10 May 2025
The Nanny Contacts the Applicant’s Son
At approximately 19h30, the child’s nanny contacted the Applicant’s son, concerned that the child had been crying and screaming throughout the night.
12 May 2025
Social Worker Failed to Return the Nanny’s Call
Despite the social worker’s promise to return the nanny’s call, she did not do so.
13 May – 21 July 2025
Repeated Attempts to Obtain Assistance
The Applicant repeatedly attempted to contact Magistrate Van der Merwe, visiting the Children’s Court at least two or three times a week.
13 May 2025
Applicant Excluded from the Hearing
The Applicant received an email from her attorney stating that she did not have a right to be present in court.
4 June 2025
Application Denied
An attempt to lodge another protection-order application on behalf of the child was denied.
10 June 2025
And Yet Another Visit to Court
The Applicant returned to Children’s Court with an application for care and contact after the nanny contacted her the evening before.
27 June 2025
Attempted Arrest Without a Warrant
A SAPS officer arrived at the Respondent’s son’s apartment and stated over the intercom that he was there to arrest the Respondent.
30 June 2025
Mother Claims a Warrant Had Been Issued
The Respondent’s attorneys forwarded an email sent by the mother claiming that a warrant had been issued for the Respondent’s arrest.
16 October 2025
Opposing Affidavit Filed
The Respondent filed an opposing affidavit in response to the mother’s application for a final protection order.
20 October 2025
Final-Order Hearing Postponed
The Respondent attended the Domestic Violence Court fully prepared and expecting, after 18 months, finally to be heard.
11 November 2025
Final Protection Order Hearing
The mother had applied for the protection order in retaliation; every statement she made was false and unsupported by documentary evidence.
5 December 2025
Application Filed
The Applicant filed an application on the ground that she had never been heard.
28 February 2026
Meeting at the ACVV Offices
A social worker telephoned the Applicant and asked whether she could attend the ACVV offices that day.
4 March 2026
Applicant Again Not Heard
The Applicant attended the Children’s Court for the hearing of her application.
4 May 2026
Application Filed in the Stellenbosch Magistrates’ Court
The Applicant filed an application in terms of the Domestic Violence Act in the Stellenbosch Magistrates’ Court.
19 June 2026
Application Not Heard Despite the Mother’s Non-Appearance
The Applicant attended the Stellenbosch Magistrates’ Court with the original Sheriff’s Return of Service; the mother did not appear.
