Action Society has been mandated to assist with yet another gender-based violence (GBV) murder – this time in Khayelitsha.
A loving mother of two, a sister and activist Nosiphiwo James will be missed by her family and friends after she was allegedly killed by her boyfriend with a screwdriver in Taiwan in Khayelitsha on 8 May.
He was arrested earlier this month after cooperation between Action Society and SAPS in the Eastern Cape, transported to Cape Town and appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrates Court today. James was murdered on the same day six men were gunned down, in the same road, minutes after her incident.
The slim man wearing a grey jacket stood in the dock today behind close family and friends who are still mourning the loss of a sister and friend. The matter has been postponed for bail information.
The family of James said she will be remembered as an unselfish, polite, and strong woman. She leaves behind her two girls aged three and 10-years-old. She is also one of four sisters.
Her sister Andisiwe James says her sister was someone she looked up to and will never forget the fond memories they shared.
“When I was staying with her in Grade 11 and 12, she took care of me, she was like my mother, she attended my school meetings, she was very supportive and very protective over me. She was not working and used social grant money to support me, she was unselfish.”
Sitting outside a cold courtroom, Andisiwe said she wants to see justice. She said it’s been a difficult time for family.
“It’s been very hard since her death, it’s like a dream. I just want justice to be served,” she said.
James’ other sister Sinazo held her sister in her arms when she died, also wants justice. “Mother’s Day will never be the same, because it was such a sad day, I will never forget that day in my lifetime.”
Sinazo said when she heard he fled to the Eastern Cape she thought he will never be caught. “He was living his life in the Eastern Cape thought he never be arrested. I was also scared when he said he was going to come back and finish what he did. I just wanted the police to get him and I am grateful that you (Action Society) assisted. He deserves to be behind bars. But now I was relieved when I heard he was arrested.”
Action Society assisted the family following the murder of James. The team contacted SAPS, and informed them that the suspect was in the Eastern Cape and is able to assist with the matter. Action Society dealt with the police member assigned to the case, and a warrant of arrest was issued. SAPS then found the man in the Eastern Cape and brought him back to Cape Town.
Action Society has been assigned as watching brief on the matter and will be monitoring closely the prosecution process as due process follows.
“The family of Sinazo saw the suspect in person today and are satisfied that he is back in Cape Town. They are also pleased that the man will remain in police custody. We hope that some justice can now be done for Nosiphiwe. Action Society will continue to monitor, investigate and assist the family and see this matter through,” said Kaylynn Palm, Action Centre coordinator at Action Society.
“We would like to thank members from the Khayelitsha SAPS detective branch for working with us to track down the suspect in the Eastern Cape,” she said.
