Charlton Melvin Andrew Human (52), previously named as Shelton Human in an earlier published UD Express article, appeared briefly at the Uitenhage Magistrate’s Court today, July 4 for allegedly murdering his stepson, Leewin Solomon (18).
Human was arrested by SAPS Kamesh after an alleged domestic incident broke out between Human and Solomon, which led to the murder of 18-year-old Solomon in Kariega on Sunday, May 25. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said that at Human’s previous court appearance on June 5, he abandoned his formal bail application and remains in custody.
Present at the court appearance today was the family of Solomon with posters, chanting, “Justice for Leewin.”
Family spokesperson and Solomon’s aunt, Vernolene Solomon Britz, said, “We as the family are glad that he is not getting bail. We now want justice, not only for Leewin, but for all the other children who are murdered by their family members.”
She added, “As a father, Charlton was supposed to take care of his son, but didn’t. It is still so painful for us to see Charlton in court, with no remorse for his actions. He told his friends that he wants to apply for bail so that he can go back to his house.”
Britz shared that she and the accused were best friends before he had met her sister, Leewin’s mother, who requested not to be named. “Charlton always had a grudge against Leewin ever since he became of age. Charlton’s words to Leewin were always that he will die just like your father.”
Britz said that when shooting his stepson, Human allegedly shot Solomon multiple times until he had no bullets left in his gun, which was reported by SAPS spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg as a registered 9mm pistol.
“Charlton was always abusive towards Leewin and my sister (Leewin’s mother), physically, emotionally and financially. Every time Leewin and Charlton had an argument, Charlton would chase him with his gun. Leewin would always protect his mother. I am a witness of this,” Britz said.
“I will be very glad and relieved if he gets a life sentence, because that would mean that my sister is safe from this monster. This is not the only traumatic thing that he has done to us. He shot my brother as well in the cheek months before this incident. He got his gun back because my brother withdrew the case against him. There was no argument, he was just playing with his gun and the stray bullet hit him,” Britz concluded.
The accused will remain in custody as the matter was postponed for further investigation and he will appear again on August 15.
