Action Society sent an urgent letter to the Portfolio Committee on Police requesting that the committee rally all possible resources at their disposal to investigate the police’s failure to conduct a basic investigation into the tragic murder of four-year-old Mia Botha more than 900 days ago. This includes summoning the National Commissioner and the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner to appear before parliament and provide an explanation as to why they have failed to conduct a basic investigation.
“Additionally, we wish to determine the reasons for the forensic and DNA backlog that has hindered this case and many others like it. We demand to know why the police have failed to communicate and be transparent with both Mia’s family and the public. And finally, we propose the implementation of legislative and policy changes that we believe will prevent future investigative failures,” explains Action Society spokesperson Juanita du Preez.
Four-year-old Mia went missing two and a half years ago, on 25 September 2022, in Paarl East, from a playground close to her home. Her body was found the next day on a nearby school field, with a plastic bag wrapped around her head and her mouth stuffed with plastic materials.
“The police have failed dismally in their duty to investigate this case. Despite the passage of more than 900 days, several official enquiries from Action Society, and petitions from the public, there have been no arrests nor answers for her family whatsoever.”
“Action Society is of the belief that systemic change within the police, coupled with working hand in hand with civil society is the best way forward in getting justice for victims like Mia. This case is the perfect opportunity to implement a Public-private partnership to add investigative or forensic capacity to the investigation.”
“We hope that the Portfolio Committee will see that the changes we have suggested are implemented and that our collaborative efforts can bring Mia’s family the answers they have been seeking for after all these years so that justice can finally prevail,” said du Preez.
Meanwhile, Mia’s parents are still desperately waiting for answers.
“Mia brought so much joy into our lives and now she is gone. My heart is broken and this case is going nowhere. It has been three years of pain for our entire family and we are still waiting for the police to come here and give us answers but we get nothing from them. Mia never harmed anyone and she was killed in the worst way- all we want to know is who this killer is and that he is punished,” her mother told Action Society.
