This Sunday, the 5th of May, will mark 1000 days since Siphokazi Booi’s dismembered body was found in a wheelie bin near Mbekweni train station in Paarl in a gruesome murder that has left an indelible mark on the community. It has been 1000 days and her killer Rasta is yet to be sentenced for her murder.
Siphokazi is not alone. Since her death, 80 000 South Africans have been murdered (80 per day). The delays in solving murder cases and prosecuting murderers is one of the compounding factors in the shocking statistics. Many offenders are, once caught, linked to various other serious crimes. The reality is that the slow pace of justice is contributing to the death toll.
Siphokazi’s murder is symbolic of South Africa’s decaying judicial system and how it continues to delay and deny justice for victims of violence and how criminals abuse the justice system through countless unnecessary delay tactics. It is also symbolic of thousands of families suffering while they wait for the wheels of justice to turn. Siphokazi’s case will continue in the Paarl Regional Court again on 13, 14 and 17 May, and we invite the media and public to attend to put as much pressure on this case as possible.
“We would like to commend her family’s unwavering resilience, especially her sister, Nontando who refuses to give in and continues to fight for justice. Action Society will not allow for Siphokazi’s name to be relegated to the headlines of yesterday. Our dedicated team will continue to say her name and support her family in the courts until Rasta is permanently removed from society,” said Head of Action Society’s Action Centre Kaylynn Palm.