Melanie Kiel’s son, Dudley Richards, was just 17 years old when he was shot and killed with an illegal gun in 2013. Now, 10 years later, Melanie is still mourning his death and seeking closure and justice. She is one of nine families who are part of a class action against the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape High Court, lodged by Gun-Free South Africa (GFSA).
Two former senior police members, Colonel Christiaan Prinsloo, and Colonel David Naidoo, stole and distributed more than 2,000 police-issued guns meant to be destroyed to gang leaders on the Cape Flats between 2007 and 2015. These actions led to a class action lawsuit that focuses on them. Police records have shown that these guns are linked to 1,066 murders, and GFSA has listed 261 people who were shot by these guns; 187 of them were under 18 years old, and 67 were killed.
Dudley’s death traumatized Melanie’s whole family, and she hopes that the class action will bring peace not only to her family but also to the other families affected by the “Prinsloo guns.” She seeks justice and closure, and money, revenge, or sympathy does not motivate her.
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, a spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS), confirmed that they have received the notice of the intended class action. However, SAPS has not yet been served with the application and cannot comment until they have assessed the matter and decided on a course of action. Melanie hopes that the class action will prevent other families from suffering the same tragedy as hers and bring about positive change.