Julian Ramiah's family calls for justice amid ongoing delays
Sarah Lee Naidoo and Julian 'Julz' Ramiah.
Image: Supplied / File
AS the wheels of justice slowly begin to turn in the murder case of Julian Ramiah, his family has voiced their profound disappointment and despair over yet another delay in the bail proceedings of Sarah Lee Naidoo, the woman believed to be linked to his killing.
Naidoo, 29, is accused of fatally stabbing her lover, Ramiah, 47, at his Bloubergstrand apartment on September 1, 2025, following a violent altercation.
The latest court appearance took place at the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on January 23, where Naidoo was remanded to Pollsmoor Prison until her next court date on February 6, which will see the continuation of her bail application. The postponement was to allow Naidoo's newly appointed Legal Aid attorney to consult with her.
The family and friends of Ramiah have expressed that their grief has been compounded by the 10 court appearances that have thus far focused on the bail application. They are also troubled by a recently published letter in which Naidoo's family broke their silence regarding the incident, particularly in light of the child who was present in the flat during the fatal altercation.
A representative of the Ramiah family, who spoke on condition of anonymity, conveyed their distress over claims made in the published letter, which suggested that “evidence presented in court tells a different story” and implied abuse by Ramiah.
“While we understand the necessity of due process, these ongoing delays have placed an enormous emotional burden on those mourning Julian. Julian does not have the opportunity to defend his name. He cannot respond to allegations or offer his account of events.
"All that remains is the truth, as it must be tested in a court of law. The reality that a child was asleep in the same home when Julian was killed is something our community must carry with us forever,” the representative stated.
“It is a sobering reminder of the seriousness of this case and the irreversible consequences of that night. We are not seeking to litigate this matter in the media. We are not asking for sympathy. We are asking for fairness, restraint, and respect for the judicial process and for the memory of Julian,” the family further emphasised the seriousness of the case.
In a letter from Naidoo's family, they expressed their empathy for the Ramiah family’s loss.
“Whilst we empathise with their loss, our silence until now has not been an admission of guilt; rather, it has been a deliberate choice made in the best interests of the child at the centre of this tragedy, who will one day need to understand the truth about both his parents with dignity and compassion,” read the letter from Naidoo's family.