FILM AND BOOK
A moving tale of how a desperate mother was driven to murder
The smart script and direction draws out a story of pain in Ellen: Die Ellen Pakkies Storie
On the Cape Flats the scourge of tik (crystal meth) addiction holds many families and communities hostage to despair and fear. Ellen Pakkies’s story became widely known after she detailed in a book — now being reissued to coincide with the release of a film — how, in desperation, she strangled her tik-addicted son in 2007. She handed herself in to the police and, although she was convicted for Abie’s murder, the prosecution acknowledged that substantial and compelling circumstances existed to justify a sympathetic sentence. The Wynberg regional court sentenced her to a three-year prison term, suspended for three years, and 280 hours of community service.
Pakkies worked with Amy Jephta, who wrote the film script based on her book. Once again, she picked through the painful story of a son unable to deal with the tragedy of his life and who turned away from his father and mother into the fatal embrace of drug dealers. In the Pakkies family, Ellen’s past influenced decisions that ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.