AfriForum Achieves Justice in Alexi Bizos Assault Case After Decade-Long Struggle

In a landmark legal battle emblematic of the persistent fight against gender-based violence in South Africa, the Johannesburg Magistrates Court delivered a guilty verdict in the assault case against Alexi Bizos. The son of the revered human rights advocate, the late George Bizos, was convicted for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in an incident involving his ex-wife Monique van Oosterhout.

The conviction comes after a prolonged legal process spanning over nine years since the assault occurred in 2015, where Bizos punched Van Oosterhout at their Johannesburg home resulting in her sustaining six broken ribs. The case underscores a significant concern surrounding selective prosecution and the challenges victims face when assailants have influential connections.

It was through the persistent efforts of AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, led by the prominent Advocate Gerrie Nel, that this conviction was secured. The private prosecution initiative took off in 2020 after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) fallaciously declined to prosecute, an act that the Private Prosecution Unit viewed as a direct consequence of Bizos's familial relations rather than the merits of the case.

The victim, Monique van Oosterhout, expressed immense relief and gratitude towards the unit for allowing her the platform to share her ordeal. Van Oosterhout asserted the verdict represents a victory for all women victims who have struggled against abuse and the ensuant societal shaming.

AfriForum's spokesperson, Barry Bateman, affirmed the unit's dedication to maintaining the principle that no one is above the law, emphasizing the trial's role in revealing the NPA's hesitation to prosecute Alexi Bizos. During the trial, the magistrate highlighted the credibility issues in Bizos's defense, pointing out the inconsistencies in his testimony and his lack of reliability as a witness. Van Oosterhout's account, on the other hand, was commended for its clarity and consistency.

Despite the NPA's former refusal to pursue charges against Bizos, the decision was reversed following AfriForum's initiative to begin private prosecution—a move that spurred the Authority to action, though not without initial resistance.

The case is set for a subsequent hearing on 23 August, where a sentencing date will be determined, finally bringing closure to a long-standing case while sending a profound message across the legal landscape about the gravity of gender-based violence and the importance of equal justice under the law.