The start of 2025 brought unimaginable tragedy to the Delft community, on the outskirts of Cape Town, as 16-year-old Jamie-Lee Martinus, eight months pregnant, was fatally stabbed.
The incident, which occurred a few minutes into new year on Wednesday, 1 January 2025, on Letaba Street, has left residents reeling and demanding justice for the young mother-to-be and her unborn child.
The attack unfolded amidst New Year’s Day celebrations. According to witnesses, the festive atmosphere gave way to a violent altercation just after midnight.
A friend of Jamie-Lee, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted the events: “We went to the shop to buy more klappetjies (firecrackers). Jamie-Lee was standing with someone about a house away from the shop because she was struggling to light her 100-shooters, and while they were struggling a drunk man approached them from behind and grabbed the 100-shooter from her. She grabbed it back and the 100-shooter probably went against him then he pushed her.”
The witness continued: “She fell on her stomach. She got up and confronted the man asking ‘Bhuti, why do you push a pregnant woman?’ The man responded something in Xhosa about pregnant women and next thing he pulled out a pocket knife and stabbed her in the neck. We did not know at first that she was stabbed, we just saw the blood on her white dress. The community chased him and we threw bricks at him and he ran away. He was also walking with a small child.”
Another witness, Cebisa Ntloko, corroborated aspects of the account, stating: “We know the man, he lives on the same street. It's unclear why he was angry at her. People were both celebrating and making noise with fireworks when this tragedy struck.”
Ntloko described how the altercation escalated after the initial celebratory atmosphere subsided, culminating in the brutal stabbing. The suspect, whose identity has not yet been publicly released, allegedly pushed Jamie-Lee, causing her to fall, before viciously stabbing her in the neck.
Jamie-Lee was immediately rushed to Delft Day Hospital in a private vehicle. Later, she was transferred to Tygerberg Hospital, where she was tragically pronounced dead on arrival. The news of her death spread rapidly through social media, prompting widespread shock and calls for justice.
Sergeant Wesley Twigg, police spokesman, confirmed the details: “A murder case has been registered. The 16-year-old female and her unborn child suffered fatal injuries. She was taken to a medical facility where she succumbed to her injuries.”
He further confirmed that a suspect had been arrested and would appear in the Bellville Magistrates Court after being charged. “Delft police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a stabbing incident in Letaba Street, Leiden, Delft in which a 16-year-old female and her unborn baby were fatally injured.
According to reports the victim was stabbed by a man who argued with her and was taken to a medical facility in a private vehicle where she later died. The incident was only reported to police on Thursday, 2 January 2025.”
Jacky Ockhuizen, spokesman for the Delft community policing forum, expressed the community’s outrage and grief: “This innocent young girl fell victim to a heinous act. The assailant, in a fit of intoxicated rage, targeted her viciously.”
Ockhuizen also highlighted the swift action taken by police, stating: “A skeleton docket was opened by SAPS and eight hours later the suspect was arrested and is currently in custody.”
