Mthatha – Police in the Eastern Cape have launched a manhunt for suspects in two heinous crimes – murder and multiple rapes of schoolgirls – in separate incidents in the Bhityi Administrative area in the last 24 hours.
In the first incident, the mother-in-law to Chief Mtirara was gunned down at Mqhekezweni Administrative area outside Mthatha by two unknown males wearing balaclavas.
A case of murder has been registered, and the investigating team is already on the ground together with South African Police Service (SAPS) forensic experts.
In the second incident, six learners were raped and robbed at gunpoint in the Mqhekezweni Administrative area.
The SAPS Provincial Head of the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offenses Investigations unit (FCS) has assembled a team to investigate and apprehend these perpetrators.
The SAPS Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, Lieutenant General Nomthetheli Mene, on Wednesday, (30 October 2024), said: “Police were working around the clock to apprehend those behind two heinous attacks in the Bhityi Administrative area in the last 24 hours”.
SAPS provincial detectives for the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit were leading the team to ensure that perpetrators were arrested.
Provincial SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said both investigation teams will leave no stone unturned to ensure that these perpetrators are brought to justice.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Eastern Cape Regional Women Structure said it was “highly disturbed” by the brutal killing of Nkosi Nogcinile Mtirara and the rape of several Grade 12 schoolgirls.
Chieftainess Nogcinile Mtirara was gunned down at the Mqhekezweni Great Place overnight.
The schoolgirls were assaulted at Mqhekezweni village in the OR Tambo District.
“We are condemning these demonic acts,” said the NUM Women Structure in a terse statement.
“This is happening as we are approaching the 16 days of activism and we are calling upon all law enforcement agencies to pull up their socks and act swiftly.
“The Eastern Cape government must take this act of violence very seriously.
“As the NUM Women Structure in the Eastern Cape, we will closely monitor the developments.”
Anyone with information that can assist the police in tracing the suspects is urged to contact the SAPS CrimeStop number 08600 10111 or report to any nearby police station.
