Cape Town – The 53-year-old man arrested for drugging and raping a nine-year-old girl Hanover Park is a parolee who was serving a sentence for a similar crime.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) on Friday, (16 May 2025), confirmed the arrest of a parolee in connection with the alleged rape and kidnapping of a 9-year-old girl in Hanover Park.
The individual appeared in court under the name Igshaan Williams.
“However, DCS records identify him as Isaac Booi,” said DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo.
“Community Corrections officials have since verified his identity and confirmed that he is indeed a parolee currently under the supervision of the Cape Town Community Corrections office.”
Booi was originally sentenced on 13 March 2008 to 25 years’ imprisonment for rape and indecent assault of a 10-year-old child.
“After serving the minimum required portion of his sentence at Voorberg Correctional Centre, he was placed on parole on 26 November 2024,” said Nxumalo.
“His parole period was scheduled to run until 22 May 2034.”
Nxumalo added: “Following his court appearance on 16 May 2025, the department will initiate the parole revocation process.”
“This process will be concluded within the prescribed 14-day period, in line with DCS internal procedures.
“These developments are gravely concerning.”
Nxumalo said the department has launched an internal investigation to review and assess the effectiveness of monitoring measures applied during his parole period.
Commenting on the disturbing matter, Action Society said: “During today’s proceedings, it was mentioned that the suspect, after luring the girl to his house, gave her a sandwich and locked the house’s doors.
“She became drowsy after eating the sandwich.”
The accused allegedly violated the child while she was drugged.
“A further concerning development surrounds the suspect’s real name, creating questions about the police, court, and correctional services administrative processes, and if he possibly changed his name to commit future crimes easier,” Action Society said.
The civil rights organisation, which holds the government accountable for its failure to protect South African citizens, said it strongly condemns this case as “a tragic failure of the justice system and a powerful reminder of the urgent need for harsher sentences and stricter parole enforcement for child rapists”.
Action Society added: “Too often, repeat offenders are granted freedom only to reoffend, putting the most vulnerable members of society at risk”.
The accused opted for legal aid and is due in court on 23 May 2025 and was remanded in custody.
