SAPS Delays Justice in Bradshaw Case: Traumatized Mother and Daughter Left in Limbo Amid Institutional Foot-Dragging

October 31, 2025 – Johannesburg, South Africa

In a stark illustration of South Africa's crumbling justice system, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has once again postponed critical developments in the high-profile Bradshaw case, leaving a grieving mother—now partially paralyzed—and her young daughter in a state of prolonged anguish. What was promised as a breakthrough "yesterday" has now been deferred to "next week," stalling parallel investigations by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

The case, which has gripped the nation with its harrowing details of trauma inflicted on innocent lives, centers on allegations of severe misconduct by SAPS officers. At its heart are a little girl and her mother, both reeling from the events that have left the mother with partial paralysis—a direct consequence, advocates claim, of SAPS actions or negligence. "In the middle sits still a little girl and mom. Both traumatised, one partially paralysed by SAPS," wrote Jean le Roux, a vocal commentator with Turning Point South Africa, in a poignant social media post this afternoon. His words echo the frustration of countless South Africans who see the incident not as an isolated failure, but as symptomatic of a "definitely fallen SA."

A Timeline of Broken Promises

Details of the Bradshaw case remain tightly guarded, but public discourse reveals a pattern of institutional inertia. Sources close to the matter indicate that SAPS had assured stakeholders of a major update on October 30—potentially including evidence handover to the NPA and SIU for deeper probes into corruption or abuse of power. Instead, the deadline slipped without explanation, a move that Le Roux decried as "holding back the NPA and SIU."

This is not the first delay in what appears to be a saga marred by bureaucratic hurdles. The SIU, tasked with rooting out malfeasance in public institutions, has repeatedly clashed with SAPS over slow evidence gathering, a dynamic highlighted in recent parliamentary briefings. In one such session, NPA officials lamented the need for a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SAPS and the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) to streamline referrals—yet that agreement remains in draft form, bogged down by internal consultations.

The human cost is impossible to ignore. The mother, whose identity is protected for her safety, now faces an uncertain future marked by physical therapy and emotional scars. Her daughter, described by supporters as "traumatised beyond words," has been deeply affected by witnessing her mother's suffering and the ongoing uncertainty. "Every day without answers is another day our family breaks a little more," one family associate shared anonymously.

Echoes of Systemic Collapse

The Bradshaw delays come amid broader scrutiny of SAPS and its partners. Just last month, the Democratic Alliance (DA) lambasted the force for "delayed investigations and bungled prosecutions" in the Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal, where whistleblower Babita Deokaran's 2021 murder remains unsolved four years later. "The severely compromised SAPS and the NPA have contributed to the slow demise of the rule of law," the DA stated, demanding immediate referrals to the SIU and NPA.

Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee, probing explosive allegations of political interference and corruption within SAPS, is set to deliver its findings by October 31—today. Yet, with the Bradshaw case exemplifying the very rot under investigation, activists fear the report will gather dust like so many before it. Calls for an independent oversight team and swift disciplinary actions against implicated officers grow louder by the day.

Gender-based violence (GBV) advocates have also weighed in, drawing parallels to cases where victims endure "persistent delays in court proceedings" and forensic backlogs. Build One South Africa, a civil society group, renewed demands for provincial GBV task teams, arguing that "victims seeking justice are met with obstacles that perpetuate their suffering."

Voices from the Frontlines

Jean le Roux, whose X (formerly Twitter) account @le_roux3247 has become a beacon for those disillusioned with state institutions, has long championed transparency in such matters. Affiliated with Turning Point South Africa—a platform amplifying stories of institutional failure—Le Roux's post today has already sparked a ripple of outrage online, with users sharing tales of similar betrayals by the system.

"This isn't just about one family; it's about a nation where the protectors become the perpetrators," Le Roux told supporters in a follow-up message. His handle, with its modest but dedicated following, underscores a grassroots push for reform in a country where trust in law enforcement hovers at historic lows.

A Call for Urgent Reform

As the sun sets on another day of deferred justice, the Bradshaw case serves as a grim reminder: South Africa's institutions are not just delayed—they are decaying. The NPA and SIU stand ready, but without SAPS delivering the goods, the cycle of impunity spins on. For the mother relearning to walk and her daughter fighting to hold her world together, "next week" feels like an eternity.

Civil society groups, including the DA and Build One South Africa, urge immediate intervention: expedite evidence transfers, impose accountability on delaying officers, and fast-track the pending MOU. Until then, the promise of justice remains as elusive as it is essential.

Turning Point South Africa and allies vow to keep the spotlight on this story. In Le Roux's words: South Africa has fallen—but it need not stay down. The nation watches, waits, and demands better.