SHE tries to stay strong for the sake of her clients. But sometimes it all gets too much for Tania Koen, sitting with them in court for weeks on end and witnessing their pain as they look their daughters’ killers in the eye, hoping for justice.
“I’ve cried with my clients,” says the lawyer from Gqeberha.
“I have no problem with crying and showing emotion. We’re all human and it doesn’t make me less of an attorney.”
Tania’s credentials as an attorney are certainly not in question. She’s been at the heart of June and Barry Steenkamp’s fight to keep Oscar Pistorius behind bars for killing their daughter, Reeva, on Valentine’s Day in 2013. The parole board recently refused the former Paralympian’s request to be released, saying he hadn’t served enough time.
“While we welcome the decision, it’s not a cause for celebration,” Tania says. “We miss Reeva terribly and will do so for the rest of our lives. We believe in justice and hope it continues to prevail.”
She’s also worked closely with Rob and Sharon Matthews whose 21-year-old daughter, Leigh Matthews, was kidnapped and murdered by Donovan Moodley in 2004. Tania was instrumental in keeping him in prison too.
She was at Rob and Sharon’s side at Johannesburg Prison as they faced Moodley, who’s hoping to walk free after serving 18 years of a life sentence.
Two days later she was at Atteridgeville Correctional Centre in Pretoria representing the Steenkamps in their bid to stop Pistorius from being released after serving just half of his 13-year sentence.
Esta historia es de la edición 13 April 2023 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición 13 April 2023 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST
With more and more of us struggling with our mental health, here's a common-sense guide to coping with life's ups and downs
SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES
John van de Ruit tells us why he decided to write a sequel - and shares how his first book helped him find enduring love
SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG
A Cape Town couple have been charged with using a young woman as a sex slave-but some say she lost the job she signed up for and now has a grudge against them
LIAM LAID TO REST
More than a month after One Direction singer LIAM PAYNE (31) tragically fell to his death from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his loved ones finally got to say their goodbyes.
SHILOH HANGS OUT
THE two young women look like any pair of good friends chatting and laughing as they leave their dance class in Los Angeles.
LEO IN LOVE
He's just turned 50 and it seems Leonardo DiCaprio may finally be ready to settle down
PACKING A PUNCH
Irish actor Paul Mescal beefed up for his role in the blockbuster epic Gladiator II - and fans are loving it
I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD
As the illegitimate daughter of the king, she fought to be recognised as part of Belgium's royal family, but Princess Delphine says she still feels unwelcome
'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'
A bite from a spitting cobra 13 years ago nearly killed her but Mikayla survived - and she's made peace with her scars
THE CLAWS ARE OUT!
Things have grown frosty between the Beckhams and the Sussexes as Becks comes out in clear support of William
