60 Signatures
500 for collection target
Petition addressed to: Judge or Magistrate
TO THE PRESIDING OFFICER / MAGISTRATE / JUDGE:
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED RESIDENTS OF UPINGTON, AND PABALLELO IN PARTICULAR, do hereby respectfully submit this petition to the honorable court in unwavering support of the bail application of Harriot Nomvulazana Mchlauli, who is currently accused of (a charge of) murder.
We approach the court not to undermine the gravity of the law or the judicial process, but to formally request that this court consider the profound and exceptional circumstances surrounding the Accused, which we believe overwhelmingly justify the granting of bail in the interest of justice.
1. THE ACCUSED AS THE SOLE PILLAR OF A VULNERABLE FAMILY
The exceptional circumstance that we urgently place before this court is the absolute dependence of the Accused’s minor children on her daily care, presence, and maternal support. Harriot Nomvulazana Mchlauli is a mother of six (6) children, all of whom are currently facing destitution, severe trauma, and neglect in her absence.
1.1. She is the biological mother and sole primary caregiver of six minor children, whose ages are as follows:
- Child: 1: Anathi Mchlauli, 16yrs
- Child: 2: Asanda Mchlauli aged 14, who suffers from down Syndrome.
- Child: 3: Aviwe Mchlauli, 10yrs
- Child: 4: Reabetswe Bosman, 6yrs
- Child: 5: Keabetswe Bosman, 6yrs
- Child: 6: Ofentse Mchlauli, 4yrs
Reason
1.2. THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF HER DISABLED CHILD
Among her six children, one is a down syndrome child who requires a specialized, constant, and motherly care that cannot be adequately substituted by extended family or social institutions. The absence of the Accused poses an immediate, life-altering, and detrimental threat to the health, well-being, and specialized medical/daily routines of her disabled child, who relies entirely on her.
2. ROOTS IN THE COMMUNITY AND NO RISK OF FLIGHT
As lifelong and active members of the Upington and Paballelo community, we know Harriot Nomvulazana Mchlauli to be a familiar face and an integral part of our neighborhood.
- She has deep-rooted ties to this community.
- She does not have the means, the desire, or the intention to evade trial.
- She is fully committed to cooperating with the legal process and attending all court dates as required.
- Her release on bail will not endanger the safety of the public, nor will it undermine public peace, as she intends to abide strictly by any bail conditions imposed by this honourable court.
2.1. No Flight Risk: She has deep roots in the community, fixed residential address at Justice Malgas Paballelo Upington, and an alternative address of her mother (Mrs Nomangesi Mchlauli) at President Steyn 7, Die Rand Upington 8800, and no passport or means to flee the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court. She intends to stand trial to clear her name.
2.2. No Interference with Investigation/Witnesses: She does not know the state witnesses intimately, and she undertakes not to contact, intimidate, or interfere with any witnesses or the police investigation.
2.3. Strict Bail Conditions: She is willing to abide by any stringent bail conditions imposed by the Court.
3. PRAYER TO THE COURT
In light of the above exceptional circumstances—specifically the severe impact of her detention on her six minor children, most notably her disabled child—we respectfully urge this honorable court to exercise its discretion in favor of the Accused and grant Harriot Nomvulazana Mchlauli bail.
Thank you so much for your support, Fearless Child, Upington
Question to the initiator
Petition details
Petition started:
08/15/2026
Collection ends:
02/14/2027
Region:
Northern Cape
Topic:
Civil rights
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She is a mother of 6 children of which they need their mother with them especially the disabled one asanda and she is no risk to the community. And the incident was purely out of self defence which I know she regrets.