Suspect accused of murdering his girlfriend, Nadia Lotz, found guilty

The man accused of murdering his girlfriend Nadia Lotz, has been found guilty. The judgment was made at the Strand Magistrates’ Court, on Friday.

Lotz was attacked while seated in the front passenger seat of a vehicle on in March 2023. The court heard that she was stabbed fifteen times and had her throat slit during the assault. At the time, the vehicle was occupied by Nadia, her best friend who was driving, and the accused, Charles Appolis, who was seated behind her.

Evidence before court showed that the accused allegedly leaned forward from the back seat and launched the attack in the confined space of the moving vehicle. Nadia’s friend attempted to maintain control of the car while trying to fend off the assault. In a desperate attempt to escape the violence, Nadia opened the door and leapt from the moving vehicle. She collapsed on the road with catastrophic injuries and died shortly thereafter despite efforts by members of the public to assist her.

PHOTO COURTESY:Action Society

Civil organisation, Action Society, who has been following the case, says the investigation was followed by a protracted trial process that formally commenced in July 2025. The matter endured numerous postponements and included a failed Section 174 application by the defence to have the charges dismissed at the close of the State’s case. The court rejected that application, finding that there was sufficient evidence for the accused to answer to the charges.

During the trial, the accused denied responsibility and presented shifting versions of events, including allegations that Nadia’s co-worker had committed the attack and that he had himself been injured while attempting to assist her. These versions were tested under cross examination and weighed against eyewitness testimony, forensic findings, photographic evidence and the blood patterns documented inside the vehicle.

In closing arguments, the State maintained that it had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and described the accused’s version as false and incompatible with the objective evidence. The court has now rejected the defence’s narrative and found the accused guilty.

‘’This case once again underscores a fundamental truth: the only sustainable way to reduce violent crime is to increase conviction rates. Criminals are not deterred by rhetoric or policy announcements, but by real consequences. When perpetrators know that investigation will be thorough, prosecution will be competent, and conviction will follow, behaviour changes. Certainty of punishment remains the only proven deterrent. A justice system that consistently secures convictions sends a clear message that violence will not be tolerated,’’ said  Kaylynn Palm, Head of Action Society’s Action Centre in the Western Cape.

She said the verdict marks a critical step toward accountability.

“For 1 084 days, Nadia’s family has endured the agony of delay, contradiction and courtroom trauma. Today’s guilty verdict confirms that the evidence has prevailed and that accountability is possible, even after prolonged proceedings. But if we are serious about reducing violent crime in South Africa, cases like this cannot be the exception. Consistent convictions and real consequences are the only meaningful deterrent. When perpetrators know they will be held accountable, it changes behaviour. Justice must not be uncertain or rare. It must be expected.”

Appolis will be sentenced on 19 March 2026.

 

Done By: Mitchum George