Beare Grayson has spent more than eight months in police custody following the brutal murder of Halima Hoosen-Preston, as he awaits a psychiatric evaluation. The prolonged delay has left her family and community frustrated, with concerns growing over the slow pace of the legal process.
Murder Shocks Durban Community
Hoosen-Preston, a 40-year-old mother, was stabbed to death in her Glenmore home in the early hours of June 2, 2024. According to Middle East Memoir, her husband and two children witnessed the violent attack, which sent shockwaves through the local community.
Authorities arrested Grayson Beare, 44, at the scene with a blood-stained knife. Police have held him in custody since his arrest. The victim’s 10-year-old daughter later told police that Beare claimed he attacked them because they supported Palestine.
Beare’s Mental Evaluation Request
A District Surgeon initially deemed Beare fit to stand trial. However, in August 2024, his defense team filed a Section 77 mental assessment application during what was supposed to be a bail hearing.
Beare recently appeared in court, but officials adjourned the case until March 20, 2025, due to delays in securing doctors for his psychiatric evaluation. He will undergo a 30-day assessment at Fort Napier Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.
Eyewitness Reports and Online Video
According to Midl, police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that officers responded to reports of a stabbing on Hyder Road early that morning. Upon arrival, they found a woman lying in a pool of blood. The officers also found that two men, her husband and 14-year-old son, had suffered critical injuries. Paramedics declared Hoosen-Preston dead at the scene, and the wounded victims were rushed to a hospital.
A viral video shows Beare, in ankle shackles, linking the attack to his victims’ views on the war in Gaza. Reports suggest he also threatened to rape the young girl.
Community Reactions and Calls for Justice
Alie Komape, campaign manager for Africa4Palestine, condemned the attack, linking it to rising violence against pro-Palestinian supporters in South Africa. He referenced similar incidents in Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg since the start of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
“In light of these heinous crimes, we call for calm and trust in the justice system,” Komape said. “The perpetrator must face the full weight of the law.”
Meanwhile, the Beare family released a statement expressing support for the victim’s relatives and denouncing their estranged son’s actions. The case continues as the community awaits justice for Hoosen-Preston and her family.
See also: How Man That Robbed Durban Pensioner was Granted Bail.
