Action Society strongly condemned the actions of the investigating officer of the Mia Botha murder case in Paarl, after he revealed a crucial update in the case to members of the media while the family was kept in the dark. The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Paarl has been shockingly neglectful in their communication with the family regarding the case from the start.
Mia’s murder case was assigned to the SAPS Paarl East and, subsequently, Child Protection Services for investigation. However, these units refused to give any answers or updates to Mia’s mother, Udene, family or Action Society. Furthermore, Action Society has previously (and more than once) escalated concerns about the lack of investigations and communication to Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile, Western Cape Provincial Commissioner of Police, but never received any feedback.
“When 500 days since her murder came and went without any feedback, Action Society lodged a complaint at the Western Cape South African Police Service (SAPS) Service Complaint Centre, but enquiries there never resulted in any action being taken,” explains Kaylynn Palm, head of Action Society’s Action Centre in the Western Cape.
Earlier this month, Action Society sent an urgent letter to the Public Protector calling on the Public Protector to conduct an immediate inquiry into the SAPS’ repeated failures in Mia’s investigation. We requested that the Public Protector investigate the SAPS handling of the case and determine the reasons for the delays in processing forensic evidence and why they have not acted on existing DNA matches. Secondly, we asked for accountability from the police regarding their lack of communication and transparency with Mia’s family. Lastly, we recommend corrective measures to ensure that SAPS fulfils its constitutional and statutory duties. A similar letter was sent to the Portfolio Committee on Police last week.
“After all of our efforts, it is shocking to us that the investigating officer still failed to grasp the importance of informing the family of the decision to move the case to the Cold Case Unit,” Palm continues.
“We welcome this move, and hope that new eyes on the investigation will bring some movement in the case. We will reach out to the Cold Case Unit to ensure that communication with the family is restored at last.” Palm concludes.
