Staff Reporter.
The tragic murder of another gender-based violence victim Namhla Mtwa has sparked an outcry to bring the killer to book.
Mtwa, 34, who worked for the OR Tambo Municipality, was gunned down in her vehicle on April 21.
She was shot nine times and was declared dead at the scene.
The incident occurred after 7pm when she arrived home in Sidwadawa View in Mthatha.
No arrests have been made.
Claims have been made that Mtwa’s long-time boyfriend, an Eastern Cape businessman and member of the ANC, masterminded her murder.
Mtwa apparently ended the relationship two months before her death and allegedly received a death threat from her former partner.
Her family revealed details found on her phone about their allegedly abusive relationship the public is baying for his blood.
Explicit images and videos of Mtwa’s injuries from the alleged abuse have been widely circulated on social media.
Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has called on the SAPS to swiftly investigate allegations of gender-based violence and femicide (GBV&F) in the Mtwa case.
“It has since emerged this week that Namhla’s death may have been more than just a random criminal act, but a case of GBV&F, which must be investigated.
Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Chairperson, Nonhlanhla Ncube-Ndaba, has called on law enforcement agencies to act with speed on available evidence to ensure the arrest and successful prosecution of Mtwa’s killer.
Ncube-Ndaba noted that the availability of evidence, which is trending on social media platforms, could lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of the perpetrator who killed Mtwa.
She called on law enforcement agencies to act with speed on the available evidence to ensure that the perpetrator of this heinous and gruesome killing of Mtwa faces the might of the law.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene said a senior manager had been appointed to oversee the case.
She said a manhunt had been launched to trace suspects linked to the crime.
“Members of the family and the public are therefore assured that Namhla’s case is in the hands of capable and professionally trained detectives.
“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, should please share it with the lead investigator,” Mene said.