Cape Town - Eudene Samuels regrets not having taken more action to try to help a five-year-old boy whom she believes was abused by his stepmother 10 years ago.
Samuels, who is Natasha Hansen’s cousin, was testifying in the Western Cape High Court on Monday where Hansen is on trial in connection with the alleged assault and murder of Gershwin Isaacs.
The State alleges Hansen had physically abused Gershwin before he died of his injuries.
Samuels told the court about an incident at her aunt’s house when Gershwin had several bruises on his face and mouth. She referred to May 7, 2004, which, in another relative’s testimony, was the day a group of women found Gershwin with blue marks, swollen eyes, a skew jaw and loose teeth. It was also the day Gershwin allegedly pointed at his stepmother, identifying her as the one who hit him with a big spoon.
Samuels went to the police station but did not lay a formal complaint – she asked the police to visit Hansen’s house to look at the condition of the child.
Samuels was told about Gershwin’s death the day after he died on May 29, 2004. When asked why she had let Gershwin leave with his stepmother on May 7, considering his serious injuries, Samuels replied: “That’s why I feel regret today, I could’ve done more.”
The State alleges that in April and May 2004, Hansen had repeatedly kicked and beaten Gershwin while looking after him at their home in Lesar Court, Steenberg while his father, Russel Hansen, was at work.
The abuse had culminated on May 28, 2004, when Gershwin was admitted to hospital, first in Victoria Hospital and then Red Cross, before he died.
Hansen has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and assault with the intention to commit grievous bodily harm.
Warrant Officer Victor Snyders, who at the time of Gershwin’s death had been a member of the provincial Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offence Unit, was the first investigator assigned to the case.
He said he had been investigating the matter for four months before moving to another unit. Nine years later, he was contacted by investigators who asked him to contact all the witnesses.
Snyders tracked down most of the witnesses but could not trace some doctors and medical personnel.
Hansen had charges against her provisionally withdrawn after she was arrested in 2005.
Snyders could not explain why.