The trial concerning the slain Siphokazi Booi from Mbekweni started this week in the Paarl Regional Court.
The 27-year-old allegedly died at the hands of her estranged and abusive boyfriend, Sithobele Qebe, who is also known as “Rasta” in the community.
Booi was allegedly murdered on 4 September after which the suspect tried to get rid of her scorched remains the next day, when members of the community caught him.
At the time WO Nceba Vanqa, spokesperson for Mbekweni police, told Paarl Post: “A patrol vehicle was stopped by community members in Drommedaris Street near Mbekweni Railway Station on 5 September. They pointed the officers to a body which was burnt to the extent that it was unrecognisable.
“According to the community he [Qebe] was seen pulling a wheelie dustbin to the scene [where the body was found] and a mattress with blood stains was found at his residence.”
Kaylynn Palm, spokesperson of the civil rights organisation, Action Society, attended the court proceedings.
“The matter was postponed on Monday due to load shedding – and Tuesday there was load shedding for four and a half hours. We see these sort of issues in most courts in the Western Cape, there’s no contingency plan, no back-up power supply for matters to continue.
“This is just one of many issues in the failing justice system.”
Palm says that witnesses, who are supposed to testify, showed up at court on both days as well.
“It is already daunting for witnesses to testify in the court of law and now they have to wait even longer.
“Generally speaking, these people take their time out to be at court, some leaving a day’s work and families to be at court, but all they do is sit on the hard wooden benches as time passes.
“Its not fair to them,’ Palm emphasised. “Then its Siphokazi’s family and supporters who made their way to court for two days – just to be disappointed. They all want justice. They want the man who allegedly took her life to be behind bars.
“As Action Society we are saying load shedding is causing justice to be denied, now the family has to wait another five months for this matter to be on a court roll again,” Palm added.
The trial has been postponed to April 2023 due to load shedding challenges.
