Hundreds of angry residents took to the streets of Piketberg on Tuesday to demand justice for slain Natasha Lee-Grey Booise, as her police boyfriend made his first appearance in court.
Constable Richard “Makka” Smit, 36, appeared in the dock of the same court where he works as a court orderly to face a murder charge.
Natasha, 30, was mercilessly gunned down in the street in front of her son on Sunday.
The Shoprite supervisor’s death has sparked an uproar in the community after it was revealed that Smit had shot her with his service pistol while he was off duty.
According to her family, the cop had been abusing his girlfriend for years and had isolated her from her family.
On Sunday, relatives from Paarl had come to visit Natasha’s family in Piketberg and Smit allegedly became enraged when she chose to spend the day with her family.
He allegedly stalked her as she showed her relatives the town and shot her in full view of her 11-year-old son.
Yesterday morning nearly 500 angry residents marched through the town demanding justice for Natasha.
The march organised by the Rural and Farm workers development organisation saw hundreds of people camp outside the Piketberg Magistrates’ Court carrying placards that read, “Gatvol of abusers in uniform” and “Weg met Makka, RIP Tasha”.
During court proceedings, Smit avoided looking at the public gallery which was filled with Natasha’s family and friends.
Community leader Billy Claasen said: “He just looked straight ahead at the Magistrate and avoided eye contact.
“They postponed the case to Friday for a bail hearing and we are going back in our numbers to show the national police commissioner that we will not stand for this.
“We want police officers in our town with integrity and not those who use their rank or position as officials to abuse and kill women.”
He said on Friday they will gather to sign a petition calling for Smit’s bail application to be denied.
Angry residents have also demanded that the court treat him no differently to any other suspect.
“The community is in disbelief and very kwaad.
“We want justice for Natasha and we are demanding that he is shown no special treatment while in custody because he is a police officer,” added Billy.