Action Society calls on the Khayelitsha Regional Court to ensure that justice is finally served this week in the case of Sivuyile Tshabile, convicted of the brutal murder of Nosiphiwo James. Members of the media are invited to attend what is expected to be the final sentencing on Wednesday, 12 November 2025.
Date: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Time: Journalists to arrive between 08:30 and 09:00
Venue: Khayelitsha Regional Court
Case Background:
In May 2022, Nosiphiwo was murdered with a screwdriver by her then-partner, Tshabile. After the killing, he fled to the Eastern Cape and evaded arrest until Action Society assisted SAPS in tracking him down.
Since then, Nosiphiwo’s family has endured nearly three and a half years of anguish, navigating a justice process riddled with postponements, missing documents, and administrative delays. Even after Tshabile was found guilty in May 2025, the family’s hope for closure was crushed again in September when sentencing was postponed because the accused refused to co-operate with the probation officer. The court warned him then that this was his final opportunity to comply and that sentencing would proceed at the next appearance regardless.
“Nosiphiwo’s loved ones have relived their trauma with every postponement,” said Kaylynn Palm, head of Action Society’s Action Centre in the Western Cape. “For nearly three and a half years, they have shown remarkable strength and patience while the system has failed them. Now, justice must not be delayed any longer. Tshabile was found guilty months ago; the time for excuses is over.”
Action Society believes that this case exemplifies how South Africa’s justice system too often shields perpetrators through endless procedural delays while families are forced to suffer in limbo.
“As a country, we cannot continue to accept that the lives of victims and their families mean so little,” added Palm. “On Wednesday, the court has an opportunity to restore faith in justice and to show that accountability still matters.”
Action Society will attend the proceedings and be available for media comment outside the court.
