Africa-Press – South-Africa. Lamenting “endless postponements” in the case, the family of Siphokazi Booi, whose charred body was found in Paarl in 2021, are waiting for closure.
Booi’s then-boyfriend, Sithobele Qebe, accused of her murder and a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, appeared in the Paarl Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The case was postponed to 30 May to allow the accused to appoint an attorney, according to Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila.
He allegedly killed Booi and burnt her body beyond recognition in September 2021.
Her charred remains were found on a dumpsite a few metres from his shack in White City, Mbekweni.
Booi’s aunt, Nontando, told News24 the family wanted closure and healing, and was unhappy about the “endless postponements” in the case.
She said two of Booi’s family members died in 2021 and 2022 and added that she believed they had died due to heartbreak.
Angry residents and Uthuso Community for Change members picketed outside the court where Qebe appeared, demanding that the case be finalised and that Qebe be sentenced.
Movement leader Dumisani Mziki told News24 that the community had signed a memorandum and petition detailing its demands and handed it over to the NPA and regional court.
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“[Qebe] has been changing lawyers since 2021, and they have been postponing for that reason. We will meet the head of justice in Cape Town and the NPA before 30 May regarding this case. They have failed us. Her family members have died from trauma. They used to collapse in court,” he said.
Responding to the protest, Ntabazalila told News24 he didn’t know the contents of the memorandum.
He said:
Ntabazalila previously told News24 Qebe allegedly committed the murder while he was out on bail for allegedly assaulting Booi a month before.
Mziki said Booi’s murder could have been avoided had the State denied him bail.
“We want victims of gender-based violence to be free. We want women and children to be free,” he added.
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