Action Society to oversee Paarl murder case as suspect remains in custody

Civil group Action Society has instructed its legal team to conduct a watching brief to oversee the grisly GBV murder case involving Sithobele Qebe.

Qebe has been linked to the discovery of a burnt female body in Paarl and is set to apply for bail next Monday.

The body 27-year-old Siphokazi Booi was dismembered before being set alight in Mbekweni.

Community Councillor Zukiswa Nomana was informed about the gruesome discovery in a wheelie bin alongside the Mbekweni railway line.

Nomana said she had a feeling that it was likely that the remains were of Booi, who in the end was only identifiable from her charred bra.

She knew that Booi had problems with her boyfriend and was last seen on Thursday, 2 September.

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“The accused was out on bail after being charged with assault. He allegedly beat Booi to the point where she had to be admitted to hospital in August,” said Action Society’s Ian Cameron.

Cameron said it’s important to remember that the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, had recently confirmed that 96,875 violent crime offenders had been released on parole since 2016 without submitting DNA samples.

“A crucial part of the criminal justice system is not being applied due to the lack of resolve from the government to implement the law,” said the organisation’s Elanie Van der Walt.

“There are thousands of these violent criminals walking free on our streets, and our government is failing GBV victims like Siphokazi daily due to their blatant disregard to the plight for justice,” added Cameron.

Action Society said it would oversee the grisly GBV murder case and take all the necessary steps to ensure that the case goes on smoothly and justice is served.

The civil rights organisation vowed to give a voice to Booi and other victims of gender-based violence who have been failed miserably by the South African justice system.