“More than six months have passed, and the family of Nosiphwo James will now have to wait even longer to see justice for her murder,” said Kaylynn Palm, Action Centre coordinator at Action Society. “It really does prove just how slow the wheels of justice turn in South Africa.”
Her boyfriend allegedly killed Nosiphiwo (29) with a screwdriver in Taiwan, Khayelitsha, on 8 May, Mother’s Day. Six other people were gunned down that same day, just a few metres from where she was murdered. Five men died on the scene, and the sixth person was treated in the hospital.
The man accused of killing Nosiphiwo was later arrested following cooperation between Action Society and SAPS in the Eastern Cape. He was transported to Cape Town and has made several court appearances.
On 14 November, the court postponed the case to January 2023 because the investigation is still incomplete.
“At the previous appearance, the police had not filed the crime scene photographs in the docket, leading to the matter being postponed to November,” said Palm. “During the latest appearance, the photos have still not been filed in the docket. It is ridiculous, bearing in mind that six months have passed already. We are not satisfied by how the police and the judicial system manage this matter.”
Palm adds that the family only wants answers and justice.
“Nosiphiwo was a loving mother of two, a sister and an activist, and was taken away by those who supposedly loved her. It is terrible to see how her family’s hopes are dashed at almost every court appearance. They want to see the person responsible behind bars,” she said. “While Action Society notes the various reasons why the matter has been postponed several times – it still concerns us that the case continues to drag on month after month. Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Action Society will continue to pressure the police and government – as it simply feels like there is no urgency to address gender-based violence in this country. Action Society will also continue supporting the family and attending court appearances to ensure justice is served.
