By Anita Dangazele
The community of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape is in shock after a senior Abathembu royal family member was killed and five matric learners were raped, all in one night.
Nkosikazi Nogcinile Mtirara, 71, the wife of the grandson of Chief Jongintaba Mtirara, who raised Nelson Mandela, was shot dead at the Mqhekezweni Great Place homestead in Bhityi.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said two men wearing balaclavas attacked on Tuesday night.
A case of murder has been opened, and the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit is leading the investigation, with support from SAPS forensic experts.
Mqhekezweni traditional leader Nkosikazi Nobulali Mtirara said she was too traumatised to discuss the killing.
In another incident, the body of a woman was found partially naked with gunshot wounds just 600 metres away from the Mqhekezweni Great Place around midday on Wednesday.
Community members said at least four homesteads were broken into on Tuesday night.
On the same night, five girl learners from Jongintaba High School were allegedly attacked at gunpoint by two men in the nearby village of Konkqeni.
The girls, who were preparing for exams, were robbed, assaulted and raped at gunpoint by men wearing balaclavas.
Eastern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said the intruders stole valuable personal items, including cellphones and wallets.
Education MEC Fundile Gade said: “It is so sad that we must condemn violence against girl learners, whom society is supposed to protect as future leaders.
“I urge the community of Mqhekezweni to work with the police to ensure that these perpetrators face the wrath of the law.”
MEC for Social Development Bukelwa Fanta announced that social workers from Mthatha’s Thuthuzela Care Centre are supporting the learners with assistance from the health, police, and justice departments.
Mqhekezweni has been plagued by violent attacks, including robberies and murders, allegedly committed by masked men.
On Wednesday afternoon, police spokesperson Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed that a person of interest was taken in for questioning regarding the three incidents.
Pictured above: The homestead where the second victim was found dead in her kitchen.
Source: Supplied.
