Action Society has written to the Provincial Commissioner of SAPS Western Cape, Lt.Gen Thembisile Patekile, requesting a comprehensive update on the current status of the investigation into Mia Botha’s murder, clarification on the reasons for continued delays and expedition of the investigation.
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’s field, a plastic bag wrapped around her head and her mouth stuffed with plastic materials. Despite the passage of 883 days, several official enquiries from Action Society since 2022, and petitions from the public, there have been no arrests, justice, or answers for her family.
As confirmed by the latest crime statistics, more than 600 children are seriously assaulted per month, and three children are murdered every day. Yet, conviction rates remain alarmingly low because of lacklustre investigations, unacceptable delays in forensic evidence processing and court manipulation by criminals.
“Mia is only one of the 5 073 murdered children since 2020,” says Juanita du Preez, Action Society spokesperson. “Her case represents the thousands of unresolved cases that continue to devastate families across the country. How much longer must we wait for justice?”
Action Society is calling for the establishment of a dedicated SAPS task force to tackle the backlog of gender-based violence cases. The organisation’s commitment to funding forensic support has already helped speed up investigations, proving that civil society is crucial in advancing justice.
By expediting forensic processes, Action Society will assist SAPS in solving cases more efficiently and reduce the emotional and psychological burden on victims and their families. The organisation’s public-private partnership with SAPS will be a testament to the power of collaboration in improving public safety and restoring faith in the justice system.
“We cannot allow cases like Mia’s to become just another statistic. Justice delayed is justice denied. South Africa needs action now,” Du Preez concluded.
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