Chief Jongintaba Mtirara’s mother-in-law was gunned down and five pupils were raped in an Eastern Cape village in the past 24-hours.
Nkosikazi Nogcinile Thenjiwe Mtitara was fatally shot at Mqhekezweni Great Place in the Mqhekezweni administrative area outside Mthatha by two men wearing balaclavas.
Police spokesperson Lt-Col Siphokazi Mawisa said an investigating team and police forensic experts are on the ground.
“Provincial detectives from the serious and violent crimes unit are leading the team to ensure the perpetrators are arrested,” Mawisa said.
In a second attack in the village, the matric schoolgirls were raped and robbed at gunpoint.
The family violence, child protection and sexual offenses investigations unit has assembled a team to investigate the case.
Mwisa said: “Anyone with information that can assist in tracing the suspects is urged to contact our SAPS CrimeStop number 08600 10111 or report to the nearby police station.”
The Mqhekezweni area is where late statesman Nelson Mandela lived under the care of the regent Mtirara after his father’s death.
TimesLIVE
Shonisani Tshikalange
www.timeslive.co.za