A group of community members dressed in pink stood outside the gates of the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court in solidarity against the suspect (29) in the brutal murder of Gqeberha physiotherapist and Ironman athlete, Marolien Schmidt (40). The suspect is expected to make his first appearance in the dock today, August 14.
He was apprehended by police less than 24 hours after her murder. Schmidt died of stab wounds in her back and upper body in the early hours of August 9. Neighbours who heard her screams and the shattering of glass, rushed to assist her and rushed her to hospital, but she succumbed to her wounds.
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Her family and friends described her as some-one who loved life and celebrated it. She died only a few days after celebrating her 40th birthday. In addition to be being a much-loved local physiotherapist she also completed several Ironman and half Ironman events all over the world.
She would have emigrated to London in January next year after being offered a job in London.
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Nelson Mandela Bay ward five councilor, Terri Stander, was among the people outside court this morning. She said the support they are showing is not only for Schmidt, but all the other victims of these violent gender-based crimes. “It goes far back to victims before our time, victims who have never been named, and those who will still fall prey to these evil acts,” she told PE Express.
Another supporter who wished to remain anonymous expressed her fear of living as a woman in South Africa, “I live in constant fear because I might be next, it’s just a matter of when. As women, we’re afraid in our own homes, while driving and even in public, we don’t feel safe.”
According to Stander and the other residents, they wore pink to court in celebration of Schmidt’s life.
“She used to make the whole neighborhood buy pink material from her. We then wrapped the trees in the pink material to raise funds for causes that were close to her heart. Marolien was a selfless woman, and today, we’re not mourning her life, but we’re celebrating a life well lived,” she said.
