By Mapaballo Borotho
- Charles Appolis has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for the murder of his long-term partner, Nadia Lotz.
- The sentencing comes after more than three years of court proceedings and emotional testimony.
- Advocacy group Action Society says the ruling is a crucial step toward justice and accountability.
The law has finally taken its course, and justice has been served in the devastating murder case of Nadia Lotz.
Charles Appolis was sentenced to a hefty term on Thursday, 19 March 2026, after more than three years of court proceedings, delays, and emotional testimony.
At the time of the incident, Appolis (39) was unemployed and in a long-term relationship with Lotz. The couple shared three children, two daughters aged 9 and a 3-year-old son.
The court heard that the children are currently in the care of family members.
He has been in custody since 4 March 2023 and has one previous conviction dating back more than 10 years.
Lotz was killed on 4 March 2023 in a brutal attack while seated in a vehicle. She was stabbed multiple times and later died from her injuries after being thrown from the moving car.
Meanwhile, Action Society has welcomed the sentencing, citing that it represents an important step toward justice after a long and painful process.
“This sentence confirms that brutal violence must carry real consequences. Nadia lost her life in a horrifying attack, and her family has had to endure years of court proceedings to reach this point. While no sentence can restore what was taken from them, accountability is essential for justice to have meaning,” said Kaylynn Palm, Head of Action Society’s Action Centre in the Western Cape.
Action Society reiterated that improving conviction rates remains one of the most effective ways to reduce violent crime.
The organisation also vowed to continue supporting victims’ families and monitoring serious violent crime cases to ensure accountability and justice.
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