'The justice system failed Franco'

THE family of slain Franco D’este are beyond devastated after the man accused of murdering the him nearly six years ago was acquitted on Thursday in the Cape Town Regional Court.

D’este, a passionate dancer and entrepreneur who highlighted the plight of those affected by gun violence, was shot after a night out with friends in Cape Town CBD on 7 September 2019 and passed away shortly afterwards at Christiaan Barnard Hospital.

The accused, Ethan Fisher, turned himself and his gun over to police and faced charges of murder and attempted murder of D’este’s friends.

Fisher was granted bail of R2 000, however was acquitted of the charges on 10 July.

Franco’s parents, Natasha and Matthys du Toit told the Daily Voice that they are heartbroken and disillusioned after judgment was handed down after enduring years of emotional torment in pursuit of accountability not out of pride or vengeance, but because their son’s life mattered.

Natasha said: “We are shattered. We’ve walked this long road filled with delays, trauma, and hope; only to come out with nothing. It feels like Franco’s life, and our pain as parents, were never seen or heard.”

Meanwhile Matthys added: “Throughout the entire trial, we were made to feel invisible. The repeated postponements caused by the defence and allowed by the magistrate stretched our grief unnecessarily. But no one cared what that did to us. We were treated like bystanders instead of grieving parents.”

The couple says the final judgment felt overwhelmingly one-sided, and that the voices meant to speak for Franco were dismissed.

Natasha added: “It felt as if the magistrate only gave weight to the defence’s version.

“The state’s witnesses were portrayed as unreliable, and the parts of their statements that supported our case were ignored. Franco had no voice in that courtroom and neither did we.

“We entered that courtroom carrying our son’s name and story in our hearts. We left feeling invisible. But we will not be silenced. Franco deserved justice, and we will keep fighting in his name.”

Despite the outcome, the Du Toits are determined to continue seeking justice. They have requested access to the full court records and evidence to assess the way forward.

Matthys said that they cannot let this be where it ends as they owe it to D’este, who he was and his friends to keep going.

The family have been on a mission to raise funds for a documentary, Let’s Be Frank featuring D’este which aims to be a tribute to her son and to highlight their draining experiences at court and the impact of gun violence.