Norman Afzal Simons, the accused but not convicted ‘Station Strangler’, is scheduled for release on Thursday, 20 July 2023, under strict parole conditions.
Correctional Services unpack ‘Station Strangler’ suspect, Norman Afzal Simons parole conditions
The Department of Correctional Services assured Mitchells Plain residents, during a community meeting, that Simons would be subject to stringent monitoring and restrictions upon his release.
Simons, a former teacher from Tafelsig in Mitchells Plain, was previously convicted for the kidnapping and murder of Elroy van Rooyen in 1995.
Despite being suspected of being a serial killer responsible for the deaths of 22 boys in Mitchells Plain, Simons was only convicted of a single crime.
Stringent Parole Conditions
According to Ronnie Bila, the head of community corrections for the Bellville area, Simons will be placed under 24-hour house arrest.
The parole conditions dictate that he must not have any contact with children and that an official from the Department of Correctional Services will visit his residence eight times per month.
Additionally, Simons will require permission from the department to engage with the media.
Community Response
The news of Simons’ upcoming release has reopened old wounds within the Mitchells Plain community.
Norman Jantjies, the chairperson of the Mitchells Plain Community Policing Forum, addressed residents during the community engagement, stressing the need to give Simons an opportunity to reintegrate into society and seek forgiveness for the community’s past trauma.
Jantjies acknowledged the pain caused by Simons but also emphasised the importance of providing a chance for rehabilitation.
Legal Background
Simons was initially sentenced to 25 years for the murder of Elroy van Rooyen and an additional 10 years for kidnapping.
After an unsuccessful appeal, his sentence was increased to life imprisonment. Simons has spent the past 28 years behind bars, with his release on parole marking a significant development in the ‘Station Strangler’ case.