“Booi is a victim that even in her absence, after being brutally murdered, is now advocating for justice against gender-based violence in South Africa. Her name should be a voice for the voiceless and Action Society will continue to fight for victims like Siphokazi,” says Action Society Spokesperson Ian Cameron.
His comment comes after the dismissal of Siphokazi Booi’s murderer’s bail application today which Action Society welcomes. When the accused brought the bail application last week, members of the community protested peacefully outside the court buildings, demanding that no bail be granted and that a life sentence be handed down.
Booi was murdered and dismembered before being set alight in Mbekweni, Paarl some three weeks ago. The accused was out on bail at the time of the murder ̶ after being charged with assault, for allegedly beating the deceased to the point where she had to be admitted to hospital in August.
“The court ruled that it would not be in the interest of justice should the accused be released on bail, and therefor dismissed his application. Even though the accused enjoys the presumption of innocence entrenched in our Constitution, this is still a small victory for justice regarding gender-based violence in general,” said Heinrich Gonzales who is acting on behalf of Action Society on the organisation’s watching brief on this case.
“The criminal justice system in South Africa is simply denying justice to the vast majority of violent crime victims in the country. It is important to oversee legal proceedings, and our legal team will continue with the watching brief on this case, but these crimes should really be prevented. It is shocking to see the number of criminal cases including child abuse which are struck off the role because of DNA reports not being available from the South African Police Service (SAPS). In terms of DNA processing, the ANC has destroyed the SAPS,” concludes Cameron.
*ISSUED BY: Action Society
DATE: 23 September 2021
