Namhla Mtwa case is not closed, says Bheki Cele

The case of Namhla Mtwa, who was shot nine times in April last year, is not closed.

Police Minister Bheki Cele says they are doing all they can to bring the killers to book.

The 35-year-old was shot dead in her car in Mthatha, and her murder sparked public outrage and calls for justice since no one was arrested.

“Namhla case is one case that has given us a lot of difficulties but the case is not closed,” Cele said.

“It is one of those cases where you can’t say exactly where it stands, it is a difficult case and many people have questioned it, correctly so.

“But it is a case that we are still pursuing and it is a case that when it happens, there should be no withdrawal or further postponements.

“The case is now being investigated with prosecutors so that by the time we got to court, we have a tight case.”

Still no arrests in Namhla Mtwa killing

Family members and activists against gender-based violence and femicide have dubbed Namhla Mtwa’s tragic story a travesty of justice.

She was shot nine times outside her Mthatha home in April.

Police still haven’t made any arrests and Police Minister Bheki Cele had to remove the lead investigator due to death threats.

Images of Mtwa’s broken body went viral on social media after her death.

It’s believed a family member posted them while alleging her injuries were inflicted by her boyfriend.

Police on top of Namhla Mtwa case, says Bheki Cele

Police Minister Bheki Cele says there have been some leads in the murder of Namhla Mtwa.

Cele says authorities are busy verifying the information collected.

He says he has been assured that there’s a tight case against the suspects.

Mtwa was gunned down outside her Mthatha home in April.

She was shot nine times.

Namhla Mtwa’s family criticizes police for no arrests after Bheki Cele’s visit

Namhla Mtwa’s family says an arrest should have been made by now for her murder and criticized the police (Saps) for the delays.

Police Minister Bheki Cele, alongside National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, on Thursday visited the family of the 35-year-old who was shot outside her home in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, on 21 April in a suspected gender-based violence (GBV) attack.

‘Failed by many’

Speaking to the media in Mthatha, Cele said Mtwa was failed because no case was opened with the provincial Saps by the victim or on her behalf.

“We do find that Namhla was failed by many of us. She was failed by friends, maybe by some members of the family colleagues, and by the community.

“We have checked that there is no record of her being reported or her reporting [this matter]. She might not have been in a space of reporting, but somebody somewhere [knew] what was happening.

“When [one] looks at those pictures on social media, some of them were terrible,” he said.

“Everybody must just go somewhere and shout to say something is going wrong, including government and the structures that are suppose to respond.

“If we find any information that indeed somebody did report on this and many of us could have done better,” Cele added.

The minister said the police are confident they will make an arrest soon.

“Unfortunately, I cannot give an exact date, but we are definitely on solid ground. It should not take too long for the police to act on the solidity of the ground I have given,” he said.

[WATCH] Police Minister Cele & @SAPoliceService National Commissioner Gen. Masemola are at this hour paying a comfort visit to the family of #NamhlaMtwa & giving the family an update on the murder case handled by a a team of investigators from the EC province. pic.twitter.com/feKRWsKe3f

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) May 26, 2022

Meanwhile, Mtwa’s brother, Siyabonga, criticised the police for not making any arrests and called for justice to be served.

“Of course, the family is not okay about these delays because it’s been long. At least by now we were expecting that the perpetrator would be brought to book [but] unfortunately for the family it’s not yet done.

“All they do is to come and promise this and that… [saying] ‘we’re going to make an arrest, we are on solid ground and what not’. That’s all they’re doing, so we can’t say a minister being here will make a difference, but we’re happy that he came and promised us that they are taking the matter seriously,” he said.

[HOPEFUL] Siyabonga Mtwa, brother to #NamhlaMtwa says following the home visit by Police Minister and @SAPoliceService top brass and update on the murder case, they remain hopeful that police will make an arrest soon. pic.twitter.com/qeH17gd25b

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) May 26, 2022

The news of Mtwa’s murder made headlines this week after the victim’s sister, Sanga, took to social media in a plea for justice, resulting in the #JusticeforNamhla trending on Twitter.

Sanga alleged that her sister was in an abusive relationship with her long term partner of 17 years, and shared photos on social media of Mtwa covered in bruises.

Budget vote
Cele briefed Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police on Tuesday on issues GBV-related matters such as the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act and crime statistics focused on violence against women and children.

The minister said during the virtual meeting that communities and families need to work with the police to protect and support women.

“If families are not helping us to play the role they’re supposed to [then] we have a long walk to walk in trying to deal with these maters,” he said.

He also delivered his budget speech vote this week with R1.3 billion being allocated to baseline activities related to GBV and resourcing of Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) units.

Cele indicated that R1.263 billion of the total amount will go towards the units’ operational expenses, including human and other resources.

Namhla Mtwa’s boyfriend speaks out

Controversial Eastern Cape businessman Major Mfesane Bhekizulu has denied allegations that he is behind the murder of his girlfriend, Singwa Namhla Mtwa.

Mtwa, a 35-year-old OR Tambo municipal employee, was shot nine times on 21 April while she was in her car, after arriving at her Sidwadwa home in Mthatha. She had gunshot wounds to her upper body and was declared dead at the scene.

No one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

The publication has learnt that police have shifted their attention to Bhekizulu, her 41-year-old businessman boyfriend, after her family unlocked her cellphone and discovered disturbing messages, purportedly sent by him.

Members of the public have taken to social media and have vowed to deal with the man themselves.

Speaking to News24 on Sunday, Bhekizulu pleaded with residents to allow the police to do their job, adding that he was not the person residents should look for.

He said:

I have done nothing wrong. I am innocent and would like the public to allow the law to run its course because the residents are now jeopardising the case by going after me, as this might ruin chances of getting the real perpetrator.

He refused to answer follow-up questions and said he was busy before he ended the call.

In September 2018, Bhekizulu was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing his employee Mxolisi Mthunjwa, and seriously injuring another, Thmebela Somana, on 11 August.

The Ngqeleni Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Mthatha, granted the businessman R50 000 bail on charges of premeditated murder and attempted murder.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tyali was not able to confirm the status of the court case at the time of writing.

Photos of a badly bruised Mtwa have gone viral.

Screenshots of the string of messages, which he allegedly sent to Mtwa, have also gone viral.

In terms of the screenshots, it is alleged that Mtwa pleaded with him to allow her to rest and recover from the injuries he allegedly inflicted, but he threatened to harm her further. She allegedly explained that she couldn’t drive with her injuries and told him she wanted to see a doctor.

The screenshots also showed a lengthy message, allegedly from Mtwa, apologizing for disappointing him.

Her sister Sanga sent more screenshots and photos to Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, and to the Twitter accounts of President Cyril Ramaphosa and Police Minister Bheki Cele.

Sanga alleges that the man is Bhekizulu.

Mene announced on Saturday that the police launched a manhunt for the perpetrator.

She also said she appointed a senior manager at brigadier level to oversee the case and added that there was regular engagement between the detectives and family members of the deceased to provide constant feedback.

“Members of the family and the public are therefore assured that Namhla’s case is in the hands of capable and professionally trained detectives. With the support and response demonstrated by the community and various formations in every corner of our province and outside its borders, we are optimistic that a breakthrough in this particular case will be made,” Mene said.

Mene also appealed to members of the public to share any relevant information which may add value to the case.

Mabuyane said he had been updated by authorities in the police about the murder case and had called for the net to be cast wide and include the investigation of recent developments with respect to gender-based violence and femicide (GBV&F) allegations.

“Someone must answer for the vicious killing of this young woman. We must also find answers to the images that we have seen in the last 24 hours which show that before her death, she was exposed to all manner of barbaric acts,” Mabuyane said.

“Our laws empower us to strengthen the fight against GBV&F and we must use it to expose and bring to book perpetrators of this heinous crime,” the premier continued.

“We trust that law enforcement authorities will take all the necessary steps to investigate these allegations and most importantly, bring about #JusticeforNamhla.

“I further call on friends, family and the community of the Eastern Cape at large to support efforts of law enforcement officers in the investigation of this crime,” Mabuyane added.

“We must also do everything in our power to ensure that no other young woman suffers the same fate that has befallen Namhla. Let us raise our voices louder and sharper against all manner of violence perpetrated against women.”

The ANC in the Eastern Cape has called on the police to arrest the perpetrator within three days.

Mtwa was buried two weeks ago.

The man’s identity has been widely shared on social media, although police, the government, and ANC statements do not mention him directly.

#justicefornamhla: More on Namhla Mtwa’s death

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has called on cops to investigate new allegations relating to the murder of Namhla Mtwa.

The 35-year-old was last month shot multiple times by unknown gunmen while sitting in her car in the driveway of her house in Mthatha.

In a statement released on Saturday 21 May, the premier said the murder of the OR Tambo district municipal employee may have been more than a random criminal act.

Mabuyane’s spokeswoman Khuselwa Rantjie said the premier made the call after social media posts were made by Namhla’s sister on Friday 20 May, showing images of her with scars and bruises.

Rantjie said there were also WhatsApp conversations with family and friends, alleging abuse at the hands of her long-time lover.

“Premier Mabuyane has been updated by the police regarding the murder case and has called for the net to be cast wide for recent developments with respect to gender-based violence to be investigated,” said Rantjie.

Provincial police spokesman Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said commissioner Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene had appointed a brigadier to ensure the matter was thoroughly investigated.

“With support and response from the community, we are optimistic that a breakthrough in this particular case will be made,” said Kinana.

“Anyone with information can contact Brigadier Venetia Masingi on 082 040 6751 or call 08600 10111.”

Update: Eastern Cape Premier and police speak on Namhla Mtwa’s death

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane called on police to swiftly investigate allegations of gender-based violence and femicide after Namhla Mtwa (35) was shot and killed inside her car in Mthatha on 21 April.

Mabuyane’s call came after additional allegations about the killing of Mtwa surfaced on social media.

In a statement released on Saturday, 21 May, the Office of the Premier said the shooting of the O.R Tambo District
Municipality employee at her driveway by an unknown gunman may have been more than just a random criminal
act.

The premier’s spokeswoman Khuselwa Rantjie said: “This follows after social media posts allegedly made by the
victim’s sister yesterday, (Friday, 20 May) showing images of Mtwa bearing scars and bruises, alongside her WhatsApp conversations with family and friends alleging the years-long abuse at the hands of her long-time lover.

Rantjie said: “Premier Mabuyane has been updated by the police regarding the murder case and has called for the net to be cast wide to include investigating the recent developments with respect to GBV. Someone must answer for the vicious killing of this young woman.”

Premier Mabuyane said: “We must also find answers to the images that we have seen in the last 24 hours which
show that before her death, she was exposed to all manner of barbaric acts. Our laws empower us to strengthen the fight against GBV and we must use it to expose and bring to book the perpetrators of this heinous crime.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa had earlier in the year signed into law legislation that protects victims of abuse, making it more difficult for perpetrators to escape justice. We trust that law enforcement authorities will take all the necessary steps to investigate these allegations and most importantly bring about justice for Namhla,” he said.

“I further call on friends, family, and the community of the Eastern Cape at large to support the efforts of law enforcement officers in the investigation of this crime. We must also do everything in our power to ensure that no other young woman suffers the same fate that has befallen Namhla. Let us raise our voices louder and sharper against all manner of violence perpetrated against women,” said Mabuyane.

Provincial police spokesman Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said: “Provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene has appointed a brigadier to oversee the case to ensure a meticulous process in the investigation. There is regular engagement between the detectives and family members of the deceased to provide constant feedback on the ongoing investigation. Members of the family and the public are therefore assured that Namhla’s case is in the hands of capable and professionally trained detectives. With the support and response demonstrated by the community, we are optimistic that a breakthrough in this particular case will be made.

“An appeal is also made that whoever possesses critical information that will add value to the work of the investigating team and further lead to the arrest of the suspect to please share it with the lead investigator Brigadier Venetia Masingi, at 082 040 6751 or call 08600 10111. People are encouraged to continue sharing information with the SAPS to safeguard the investigation from potentially inaccurate information that may indirectly and inadvertently mislead the course of the ongoing and sensitive investigations,” said Kinana.