Cape Town - Residents in Mitchell’s Plain have started an online petition calling for bail to be refused for a woman accused of murdering her boyfriend.
This, as they highlight the reality of gender-based violence (GBV) against men. Derryn Stevens, 24, made an appearance in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where she is facing a charge of murder for the killing of Denver Pitts, 38.
Family members held a protest outside of court, calling for bail to be refused. Stevens is expected back in the dock on January 23 for a formal bail application.
The online petition, titled #Team Denver Pitts - Justice for Denver, is set to reach 200 people and has reached 130 so far.
The State is set to prove that Stevens allegedly stabbed Pitts to death inside a residence in Tafelsig on December 22.
It is believed to be the third incident in which Pitts was allegedly stabbed by Stevens, but no criminal cases had been made before.
Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, confirmed Stevens’s arrest.
“Mitchell's Plain police registered a murder case for investigation following a stabbing incident on December 22, 2024, in Slangoli Street, in which a 38-year-old man was fatally stabbed.
“Police attended to a complaint of a person who was stabbed and upon arrival at the hospital the victim was pointed out by medical staff.
“We can confirm that a 24-year-old female was arrested in connection with the murder and appeared in the Mitchell's Plain Magistrate's Court.”
Pitts, who was a father of two, worked in construction.
His distraught sister, Michelle Essack, said the family was devastated by the loss as they had already buried their parents and one other sibling.
“He was the breadwinner for his children,” she told the Cape Argus.
“We are asking that she does not get bail because we are not able to see our brother anymore.
“Denver was stabbed twice before but he never made cases and during the second incident he had to seek medical attention from the day hospital.”
Pitts’s grandmother, Mary Bateman, 81, said her grandson did not deserve such a brutal death.
“He was not an angel, it wasn’t necessary for her to kill him with a knife like that, he has two children, the eldest one is going to high school and he was looking forward to taking her to school and now he isn’t there anymore,” she said.
Community activist and family friend, Natasha Gertse, started the online petition and said often, male GBV was unseen.
“GBV should not only be applied to women as it is sad that when a woman is killed it is broadcast all over but when a man’s life is taken in this manner, there is a huge silence,” she said.
The Cape Argus also reached out to Stevens’s family for comment after claims were made that she was mentally unstable, and was told they would nominate a relative to speak on their behalf but they did not respond at the time of going to print on Monday.