Cape Town - The family of slain Mbekweni woman Siphokazi Booi have welcomed the life sentence handed down to her killer.
The 27-year-old’s body was discovered on September 5, 2021, after she and her boyfriend Sithobele Qebe had been drinking with friends.
They had an altercation and their visitors left at around 2am.
The friends went to see Booi the following day, when Qebe reportedly told them that she had left.
Two days after the altercation, the victim’s charred remains were found metres from her killer’s home.
She had been beaten to death and her body had been dismembered and stuffed into a wheelie bin.
Qebe was due to appear in court in October 2021 after he beat Booi to a pulp in August that year.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the Paarl Regional Court sentenced Qebe to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his girlfriend who was a State witness against him in a previous assault case.
“Qebe pleaded guilty to multiple charges including murder, obstructing the administration of justice, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, desecrating a corpse, and contravening his bail conditions,” he said.
“Booi’s murder, along with Qebe’s previous actions, highlight a troubling narrative of gender-based violence. In addition to the life sentence for Booi’s murder, Qebe received three years for obstructing justice, five years for assault, five years for desecrating a corpse, and three years for contravening his bail conditions. The court ordered the sentences run concurrently”
Booi’s aunt, Nontando Booi, said: “We are happy that he is finally going to rot in jail and that we won’t see him again. For the first time during the trial, we were able to tell my mom, her grandmother, about the outcome.
“We almost gave up but now we are going to be able to share with people how the law works. We had to be patient and wait for justice to prevail.”
Ilitha Labantu welcomed Qebe’s sentence. “This sentence marks a significant victory for justice, allowing the Booi family to finally find closure and mourn their loved one. This outcome is a crucial milestone in the pursuit of justice and healing for the family and the community.”
Action Society spokesperson Juanita du Preez said the murder case had been dragging on for three years.
“Justice finally prevailed. For three years her family had to see this monster in court, and listen numerous times to the awful things he did to her. But now it is over and the healing can begin. We wish to thank the prosecuting team for refusing to settle for a lesser sentence.”
Cape Argus