Cape Town - It has taken the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) three years to decide not to prosecute a Cape Town bee researcher who was assaulted by a Shell Garage co-owner during a dispute over indigenous plants.
As women across South Africa celebrate Women’s Month, bee researcher Jenny Cullinan said the decision by the NPA not to continue with their prosecution of her on common assault charges was a victory for all women who were victims of gender based violence (GBV).
Earlier this year, Cullinan’s family began an online petition asking the National Prosecuting Authority’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Nicolette Bell, to drop a counter-charge of common assault. The petition received close to 2 000 signatures.
In a letter addressed to Cullinan’s sister, Kerry Cullinan, the DPP said she was no longer facing a charge against her.
“After careful consideration of your representations, I have decided not to institute a prosecution against the accused,” the letter said.
NPA spokesman Eric Ntabazalila did not respond to media inquiries.
Cullinan said she was relieved, while being assisted by community cohesion for victim empowerment during her court appearances.
“I am feeling free. This has taken three years,” she said.
“I want to say thank you to everyone - the legal team, the media and Community Cohesion, who have been by my side.
“No longer must women be punished in this system in the way that I have been punished by the continuous victimisation of women, and an injustice system must stop.”
The case against Cullinan was opened by Simon’s Town businessman Neel Ramlall.
Ramlall was found guilty of common assault a year ago and fined R1 200 or four months’ imprisonment for hitting Cullinan on the head with a sharpened stick on July 31, 2021. She received stitches in the back of her head and had to undergo dental surgery for a cracked tooth.
On the day of the incident, Ramlall approached Cullinan at the entrance of SANPark premises, and asked whether fynbos could be propagated from seeds.
Ramlall’s wife had been carrying plants at the time and Cullinan told Ramlall that removing plants from SANParks land was not allowed.
She had turned around to leave and was repeatedly struck on the back of the head with a sharpened stick Ramlall had been carrying.
Cullinan opened a case with police and was herself also arrested later.
Ramlall claimed Cullinan had slapped him and told him to “go back to Durban”.