The mother of a 16-year-old boy, who was stabbed to death while defending his friend, is furious after his alleged killer was released on just R500 bail.
The suspect, Joseph Mkandawire, 35, appeared at the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Monday where his bail application was successful as he was not deemed a flight risk.
The State did not oppose his bail.
He is expected back in court on 13 August while the investigation continues.
Mkandawire is charged with the murder of Jacy Lee Martin of Retreat.
HERO: Jacy saved his friend's life
The case was previously delayed when Mkandawire, who is from Malawi, indicated he could not understand English and a Chichewa translator was needed.
Jacy was in Grade 9 at Heathfield Secondary School and was a keen soccer player.
Tragedy struck in March while Jacy was at a party with friends in Tokai.
He was walking a female friend to a shop when they were confronted by the suspect and his girlfriend and an argument broke out between the two women.
It is believed the man tried to stab Jacy’s friend and he jumped in front of her, taking a knife in the chest.
On Wednesday, Jacy’s heartbroken mother, Natalie Martin, 34, slammed the justice system for failing her son.
“My heart broke into a thousand pieces just knowing he was going home to his family and that his family gets to embrace him, and here I am, only left with a memory of Jacy.
“The only comfort I had was that the police had this man and that he was in jail.
“I am fearing he will pack up and leave during his bail period.”
“I found out the bail is R500, is that what my son’s life is worth?
BROKEN: Natalie Martin
Jacy had played an instrumental role in his mother’s recovery from drug addiction and she described him as her rock.
She previously detailed how, as an 11-year old, he would often wash her in her drug addicted state, and cared for her after she broke her leg.