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.