A Cape Flats crimefighter who risked her life to piemp skollies at the Cape High Court is refusing to testify after claiming the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) abandoned her family.
Roegshanda Pascoe of the Manenberg Safety Forum has fled her home and gone into hiding and says while the families of gangsters walk around freely in the area, her children cannot go to work or school.
Pascoe is the state’s main witness in the murder trial of Angelo Davids who was stabbed to death on 20 July 2016 in full view of the community by a group of men.
However, no one was prepared to give cops a statement and Pascoe bravely stepped forward.
Manenberg cops then arrested Monray Fagan, Moegamat Faeez Hendricks, Shamiel Petersen, Ziyaad Lewis, Moegamat Naeem Benjamin and Jonathan Willschutt, all alleged members of the Clever Kidz and Dixie Boys gangs.
UNDER ATTACK: Roegschanda’s home and family were shot at. Photo: SUPPLIED
On 4 March, their trial commenced.
Two days later Pascoe was removed from her house in Pecos Walk and taken to a place of safety as she was expected to take the stand the next day.
The same day skollies opened fire on her house, injuring her adult son.
“I initially refused witness protection because they would have uprooted all our lives,” Pascoe tells the Daily Voice.
“After the shooting on my house, my children were forced to flee and the Global Initiative Organisation helped arranged a place for my family to stay for the duration of the trial.
CASE: Angelo Davids trial in the Western Cape High Court. Photo: SUPPLIED
“Here we are living in fear and my children had to give up their jobs.
“My children and grandchildren had to leave the school they attend and I even got a kidney infection from all the stress.
“We have to rely on food donations from friends.”
Last week Pascoe wrote a letter to the state prosecutor saying the “system had failed her”.
“Nobody cares how it really affects me and my family. After 15 May when the case is over, we will not be able to go back to the house where we have lived for 25 years.
“I sent the prosecutor an email saying I refuse to take the stand again and you can come and lock me up.
“When they offer witness protection, they send you to no man’s land, how do you sustain yourself after leaving your job?
“After all these years, I finally understand why witnesses do not come forward in these gang cases.
“Because we go through all of this while the families of skollies live lekker. The system has failed me.”
However, NPA spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila says Pascoe is mistaken.
“The lady was never offered witness protection... as she showed no interest in the programme.
“So the statements that the NPA wanted to place her in a desert and that her family would suffer are not true.”
He says Pascoe is supposed to be cross-examined when the case resumes on 23 April.