Nadia Lotz case hits a snag as accused has no lawyer

Close friends and family of Nadia Lotz will unfortunately have to wait a bit longer to see her killer being sentenced, as the Strand Magistrates court on Wednesday, postponed the matter to next year for plea and trial hearing.

PICTURE: Pixabay

Charles Appolis stands accused of killing Lotz who was his partner of fourteen years and father of their three children, on 4 March 2023.

The reason for the postponement was that Appolis failed to appoint a legal representative.

On the day of her murder, Appolis told their children that he was going to fetch Nadia from work. She was in the front passenger side and her friend was driving the car. He was sitting behind her in the vehicle and played her favourite song. He leaned forward and then stabbed her in the neck and slit her throat. Nadia opened the car door and jumped in an attempt to get away. She died on the sidewalk while her friend was forced to drive Nadia’s attacker to the police station.

Civil society organisation, Action Society, is following the case, and says Nadia’s family wants justice.

‘’They had felt hopeless for years before the murder, because Nadia was kept isolated from them and struggled to leave the abusive relationship because he “sweet talked” her back time and again, but things never got better. Instead, it got worse,’’ said Kaylynn Palm, Head of Action Society’s Action Centre.

‘’Today, Nadia’s family was in tears when it was announced that the matter was postponed. The prosecutor said she wants life for Appolis and expressed her frustration with his numerous delay tactics, saying that he has had more than enough time to appoint a lawyer. The magistrate berated Appolis for wasting the court’s time by failing to appoint a legal representative for 18 months. He stressed that at the next appearance, if he has a legal representative they will have to be ready for trial. ‘’

“It is sad to see the heartbreak on the faces of Nadia’s family every time we go to court. For 550 days this poor family has been sold false hope of this killer getting justice, only to be met with more disappointment. We will continue to support Nadia and her family until they get the justice they have been seeking for so long,” added Palm.

The matter has been postponed to 19 and 20 February 2025 for plea and trial.

 

Done by: Mitchum George