By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SA Police Services (SAPS) has confirmed that Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane home in the leafy suburb of Bunkers Hill, East London, was burgled on Sunday.
The provincial spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed the break-in.
“One of the SAPS members who was posted at the premises noticed that a windowpane had been removed from the sitting room,” Mawisa said.
“Upon further investigation, it was discovered that some electronic items, office keys, including a soundbar and a subwoofer speaker, with an estimated value of more than R42,000, were missing.”
The incident sheds further light on high crime levels in the Eastern Cape in recent months.
Robberies at residential premises rose by 5.1%, indicating a concerning uptick in home invasions and break-ins, according to the crime statistics for the 2nd quarter of the financial year.
This suggests that while public spaces may be becoming safer, individuals’ homes are increasingly targeted, necessitating enhanced security measures and community vigilance.
The statistics also confirm that six Eastern Cape police stations are now among the top 30 for murder nationwide, proving that violent crime remains out of control.
The acting Eastern Cape SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Major General Zithulele Dladla said, “These statistics are not just numbers; they represent the lived experiences of our communities and the challenges we face in ensuring safety and security for all. The face of crime may change, but our resolve as police to combat crime will remain our top priority.
In a separate incident, Eastern Cape mother charged with the horrific death of her toddler is expected to make her first appearance in the Mbizana Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old woman was arrested on Monday, May 19, 2025, by police in connection with the death of her three-year-old daughter.
Provincial police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli, said the woman is alleged to have travelled with her child’s corpse in a suitcase.
“It is alleged that the suspect placed the child’s body in a suitcase and transported it via taxi from Mzamba to the Mbizana Police Station, covering a distance of approximately 30 kilometers, where she then reported the death,” Nkohli said.
The mother faces charges of child neglect, defeating the ends of justice, and culpable homicide.