Many organisations went to the Paarl Regional Court on Tuesday morning amid a growing awareness campaign seeking justice for Siphokazi Booi, who was murdered in Mbekweni in 2021.
The initiative, led by Action Society overseeing the case on behalf of Booi’s family, seeks to put pressure on the justice system to bring her alleged killer, Sithobele Qebe, to book.
Her death is alleged to have occurred on Saturday 4 September at the hands of her estranged boyfriend, who was arrested by Mbekweni police.
Organisations such as Ilitha Labantu and Cape Forum also showcased their solidarity on the court steps by holding posters highlighting Booi’s murder and gender-based violence aloft.
Many who were there had the same goal; to see the justice system finally determine the accused’s guilt and see justice served by a life sentence.
“Siphokazi’s story was heard thanks to her community who brought it to the fore, and without whom we may never have reached this stage of justice,” Ludwe Nkomo, representative of Ilitha Labuntu, said.
“We are sure the people responsible for her justice are not dedicated and serious enough to finalise the case.”
He referred to the possibility of justice being served in a timely fashion, if only the system took it seriously, as in the case with Uyinene “Nene” Mrwetyana.
She was a student at the University of Cape Town who was raped and killed on 24 August 2019 in Cape Town.
A suspect later identified as post-office employee Luyanda Botha was soon arrested. Following his arrest and subsequent confession he was found guilty and received three life sentences for the rape and murder of Mrwetyana by 15 November that year.
“If they truly had the will, as they did with Mrwetyana’s case, they would have reached a verdict by now.”
Eric Ntabazalila of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), told the crowd outside the court after the day’s proceedings that the case had been postponed again, to 27 June.
He said the reason for this was that the accused had acquired a new lawyer.
“From our side as the NPA we are ready to start with the trial, something we have been ready to do for some time,” Ntabazalila said.
Here, he referred to continuous postponements owing to the accused’s change in legal representation, from Legal Aid to new representation by one Advocate Pienaar.
“The accused was first charged with murder, but we changed it to premeditated murder as this would serve a life sentence,” said Ntabazalila.
“Furthermore, he was previously out on bail with regards to assault charges, and then he breached his conditions by committing the murder.”
He said assault charges will be added to the case, in addition to desecration of a corpse.
Ntabazalila availed himself to the community for any information relating to Booi’s trial and related procedures.
