The Vrygrond community gathered outside Muizenberg Magistrates’ Court demanding no bail for murder accused Priscilla Morris, who appeared in court on Thursday 13 January.
She has since abandoned her bail application.
Morris is accused of killing baby Caswell Joseph Frans, who was in her foster care.
The body of the 9-month-old was discovered on Monday 20 December 2021 near a field in Vrygrond Avenue.
Outside the court residents and family gathered to demand justice.
Caswell Frans, the baby’s grandfather, told People’s Post he is completely broken.
“I’m really trying, I am broken. Even the way she killed the child, putting his head in water, choking him and throwing his body in a packet to bury him. We only found out three days later.
“I’m so cross because I trusted the social worker. If the social worker did his job properly then this would not have happened.”
He added that NGOs in the community assisted with organising the protest.
“I just want justice. There is no way for me to be happy.”
Mymoena Scholtz, founder of the Where Rainbows Meet Foundation, said the brutal murder affected everyone in the community.
“It was a very painful experience and affected us in a big way when the case was brought to us.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine experiencing something so horrible done to a baby.
“Therefore the existence of the organisation plays an even bigger role in our communities, and we commit ourselves even more to protecting and serving our vulnerable communities.
“We commit ourselves to be a voice of the voiceless and bring justice to all.”
Ward 45 councillor Mandy Marr, who supported the community at the protest, says people are often too afraid to speak up.
“There is a huge amount of abuse, where the community is too afraid to speak up,” she said. “As in this case, the sister of the accused knew what was happening, but was too scared to speak up. There are many women and children being abused.”
Marr added that there are so many issues including babies being dumped in Vrygrond.
“We have had too many cases of babies being dumped in Vrygrond, and we want to appeal to the community please to make use of the BabySaver at Philisa Abafazi Bethu SA, run by Lucinda Evans, in Sullivan Road, Steenberg. There is help for desperate mothers and there is no judgement. It is completely anonymous.”
