Cabinet has condemned the attack on the Mqhekezweni Great Place in the Eastern Cape, which culminated in the death of traditional leader, Nkosikazi Thenjiwe Eunice “Nogcinile” Mtirara.
This was conveyed by Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday.
The 71-year-old matriarch was shot to death at her royal home in the province in October.
The incident was followed by a heinous attack on learners in the Mqhekezweni area barely a day after the murder of the matriarch.
“Cabinet condemned the senseless killing of Nkosikazi Thenjiwe Eunice “Nogcinile” Mtirara at the Mqhekezweni Great Place in the Eastern Cape and conveyed its condolences to the AmaDlomo royal clan and the entire AbaThembu Kingdom. Law enforcement agencies will bring the perpetrators of this crime to book.
“Cabinet also condemns the attack on five learners, who were raped and robbed at gunpoint in the Mqhekezweni administrative area. The NATJOINTS have been directed to speedily curb the escalation of levels of criminality including murders in the Eastern Cape and to ensure that all perpetrators and masterminds are brought to book,” the Minister said.
On other crime related matters, Ntshavheni said cabinet also commended police on work done to clamp down on illegal mining in the North West.
“Cabinet commended the intelligence driven operation led by NATJOINTS [the fight against illegal mining and operation vala-mgodi] that have led to the arrest of more than 1000 illegal miners at abandoned mine shafts in Orkney in North West since the weekend of 2 November 2024,” she said.
Ntshavheni said over the next few weeks, visible policing will be on the up and called on citizens to work with police to clamp down on crime.
“Cabinet welcomed continued efforts to strengthen the capacity of the police with the deployment of 2 800 newly trained police officers across various police stations. An additional 2000 police trainees will graduate in December 2024 and they will be ready for the festive season deployment.
“Cabinet calls on all South Africans to partner with the police in the fight against crime by reporting incidents of crime on 0800 10111 and the dedicated National Extortion Hotline: 080 091 1011 on extortion-related crimes,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za
