At every court date, more family, organisations and community members demonstrate with posters at the ongoing murder trail of 27-year-old Siphokazi Booi at the Paarl Regional Court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This time, officials from the Drakenstein Municipality attended in solidarity, holding Action Society posters with the faces of other victims of rape, abuse and murder like little Lihle Zenzile (10) who was also murdered in Mbekweni this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This growing awareness campaign seeking justice for victims such as Booi, who was murdered in Mbekweni during September in 2021, follows continuing efforts by the pressure group Action Society. This organisation was mandated by the victim\u2019s family to oversee the trial, put pressure on the justice system and bring her alleged killer, Sithobele Qebe, (also known as \u201cRasta\u201d) to book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following multiple court dates that have been postponed due to a change in defence and continuing consultations with the defendant, the case was yet again postponed to 15 August. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the Action Society\u2019s spokesperson, Kaylynn Palm, the reason for another postponement before the case is set to be heard, is because the defence seeks further council with the accused once more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe trial, which was due to begin in December 2022, has been delayed several times. The Controlling Prosecutor at Paarl Regional Court spoke to the crowd again (on 27 June),\u201d Palm reported. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally Eric Ntabazalila of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on a previous occasion told protesters outside the court that the state is ready to start with the trial. After it was postponed yet again, Ntabazalila pointed out: \u201cThe challenge is that we are dealing with human beings who tend to change their minds very often. Remember we were ready to proceed with the trial when the accused decided to change legal representatives. We will have to wait and see on the day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Siphokazi\u2019s body was found dismembered in a wheelie bin, burnt and dumped near a railway in Drommedaris Street. What drew the local police\u2019s attention to the scene was an uproar by the community who trashed the accused\u2019s shack in the area in reaction to Booi\u2019s brutal murder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Palm also interviewed Booi\u2019s cousin Zukiswa Mhobho after the last proceedings, who spoke out about the \u201chassles\u201d of endless delays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEach time we have to come here, it\u2019s becoming a hassle and a burden. Each time we know if we come here, it will be postponed. Like today . . . it\u2019s been postponed. We don\u2019t even get a clear explanation why it\u2019s been postponed. Rasta and his lawyers have had two weeks to prepare. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut because they felt that \u2018you want answers from us? You have to wait upon us until we\u2019re ready . . . until Rasta wants to give you answers\u2019,\u201d Mhobho shared from the family\u2019s point of view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added that it seems as though Rasta has a special mode of communication between him, the judges and the prosecutors. \u201cBecause it feels that way now. With each postponement, Rasta gets his way.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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