Beautiful, brainy and beloved by her family, Robyn Pearce had the world at her feet. The 20-year-old humanities student was in her second year of study at Stellenbosch University. She had big plans for the future and her mother and the rest of her family and friends were ready to give her all the support she needed.
Sadly, Robyn's dreams were cut short by a drug addict in search of easy money for a quick fix. She was stabbed to death at her family’s apartment in Sea Point on December 2, 2016. Wasief Buxby admitted killing the young student and at his trial, Robyn's final moments were recounted in graphic detail.
Buxby, who was doing maintenance work at the apartment building told the court he wanted to rob the apartment to buy tik. He saw his chance when he spotted an open window, gaining entry to the toilet.
“I was at that stage not aware [of] the deceased being present. On the table in the dining room, I noticed a laptop bag and earphones, which I took. On my way back to the toilet I opened the door to the left of the kitchen and to my surprise found the deceased in the bedroom,” he testified.
According to Buxby, he panicked when Robyn started to scream. “I put the items down in the kitchen and took a knife. I instructed her to calm down. I tried to make sense of the situation. She told me I can have anything and gave me R100 from her wallet, which I took. I told her to go into the walk-in closet. She started screaming and I stabbed her several times. I did not take the laptop bag or earphones,” Buxby said.
While Buxby was eventually sentenced to 23 years in prison, this is cold comfort for Robyn's mother Bronwyn Pearce, who has accused the justice system of not taking women into consideration.
Robyn will never celebrate another Women's Month, another birthday or another Christmas with her loving family. She will never graduate. Robyn will never have the chance to realise her dreams.
For Robyn's sake and the sake of women everywhere, if you know somebody who has committed an act of violence against a woman Don't Look Away
.
If you know a young woman's life is in danger, Don't Look Away
.
If you are able to help prevent another tragedy, Don't Look Away
.
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