Action Society attended the Nosiphiwo James murder case in the Khayelitsha Regional Court yesterday, on the two year anniversary of her death. Action Society commends the bravery of a key witness who took to the stand despite receiving multiple violent threats. It has been two years since the 29-year old mother of two was brutally murdered and her case continues to crawl along at a snail’s pace – plagued by delay tactics from the defence and with fear and intimidation a constant threat to justice.
Nosiphiwo was killed by her boyfriend with a screwdriver in Taiwan in Khayelitsha on 8 May 2022 just moments before a mass shooting broke out, killing six men nearby. Police found her body whilst investigating the shooting, but it was clear that she wasn’t one of the shooting victims. After the incident, her boyfriend had fled the region and Action Society’s investigation team aided local law enforcement to track him down. According to family and friends, he had assaulted her several times before and had issues with jealousy.
He was arrested after cooperation between Action Society and SAPS in the Eastern Cape and transported to Cape Town.
“Yesterday, the witness testified at court, where he gave his version of what occurred on the day Nosiphiwo was murdered. Apparently, she was sitting in company when her boyfriend called her outside. It was then when she was stabbed. The man was also stabbed in the back by the suspect after he tried to intervene in an attempt to help Nosiphiwo. We would like to commend his bravery,” said Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm.
The defence indicated that they need to consult with the accused before they cross examine the witness. The matter has been postponed to 15 May for further testimony.
