After serving 28 years in prison, Norman Afzal Simons, also known as the notorious Station Strangler is set to be released on parole tomorrow, 20 July 2023.
Between the years 1986 and 1994, a total of 22 boys’ lifeless bodies were found in shallow graves in Cape Town. Simons was charged with 21 counts of murder, while only convicted of kidnapping a minor and one murder – that of 10-year-old Elroy van Rooyen. He was sentenced to life imprisonment 25 years for murder, and 10 years for kidnapping, calculating a total of 35 years in prison.
The families of the slain boys are devastated. The emotional aunt of Elroy van Rooyen, Florence Gelant, spoke to Clarence Ford on CapeTalk, stating that they only found out about his release a week ago.
Gelant mentioned that the family was not consulted about parole proceedings and that the announcement of his release is opening up old wounds.
Get involved
Crime Watch Porterville, has created a petition to oppose Simons’ release, as he may be moved to Boom Street, in the community of Porterville. The community’s concern is that his parole residence is across the street from a park where children play, putting the children of the community at risk once again.
According to Casper Lӧtter, a conflict criminologist and contributor to the Mail&Guardian, South Africa certainly has one of the highest re-offending rates in the world. Although no accurate figures are available, indications are that as many as nine out of every 10 ex-offenders return to a life of crime, with a re-offending or recidivism rate of as high as 90%.
Support Elroy van Rooyen’s family, the families of the 22 boys who lost their lives, and the community of Porterville by signing the petition to oppose the Station Strangler’s release tomorrow.
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Feature image: Unsplash
