Blue Bells Cricket Club in Cape Town has refused membership to Tristan Perez, who is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Elana Brooke.
The decision follows public criticism after it emerged in September that the 24-year-old had joined the club. Members of the public contacted Blue Bells by email, message and social media to raise concerns about his membership.
Perez, who attended Wynberg Boys’ High School, was arrested in March 2026 after Brooke, 46, was found dead at her home in Heathfield, Cape Town. He was released on R5 000 bail in April.
In a statement, the club’s executive committee said it had no specific policy or constitutional rule preventing a person facing criminal proceedings from applying for membership.
It said the policy would be reviewed, but decided that Perez would not be granted membership while the criminal case remained before the courts.
Blue Bells stressed that the decision did not represent a finding on whether Perez was guilty or innocent. That determination, it said, was a matter for the courts.
The club also acknowledged the broader impact of gender-based violence in South Africa and the concerns surrounding violence against women. It apologised to anyone who had been offended or distressed by the issue, while saying it respected the judicial process and the rights of everyone involved.
Details of the case
Brooke’s death was initially investigated as a possible suicide before police changed the case to murder.
Reports from court proceedings said investigators found a recording on Perez’s cellphone which allegedly captured a heated argument between the couple.
The State alleges that Brooke was strangled and that the scene was arranged to resemble a suicide. Those claims remain allegations and will be tested through the legal process.
Perez’s case was transferred to the Wynberg Regional Court in September. It was later postponed because of a procedural issue involving documents supplied to the defence.
The matter is due back in court on 15 October 2026, when there is expected to be further clarity about the next stage of proceedings.
Blue Bells is the second cricket club to take action over Perez’s membership.
Claremont Cricket Club ended his membership in February 2026, citing disciplinary issues linked to conduct it considered inconsistent with the club’s ethos, values and spirit.
