Eastern Cape South African Police Service remain resolute in curbing murder cases which continue to be on the increase in the province and their efforts continue to pay off. In the past week from 12 April 2021 to 19 April 2021, a total of 28 suspects have been arrested for murders across the province.
The 28 suspects are amongst the 962 suspects arrested across the province for various crimes including assault GBH (221), 152 for contravention of Disaster Management Act Regulations, 129 for crimes detected as a result of police action – 90 for drug related crimes, 26 for driving under the influence of liquor, 27 for possession of suspected stolen property, 13 for illegal possession of a firearm and four (04) for pointing of a firearm and 59 suspects were arrested as a result of transgression of Domestic Violence Act. The remainder of the suspects were arrested for other crimes including assault common, property related crimes and other serious crimes.
All the suspects have either appeared in the various magistrate’s courts or will appear in court today.
Although efforts are made to track, trace and arrest all the murder suspects, there are other cases where police hit a dead end and therefore urge the community to assist with any information that may assist the investigation.
One such case is the murder case where three (03) people were found shot and killed in OR Tambo District, Libode. The incident is alleged to have taken place at Gungqwana Brigde area between Moyeni and Marubeni Location at about 16:00 on Saturday, 17 April 2021. It is alleged that two of the deceased, Likhona Sanda 37, from Mbobeleni A/A Libode and a Lesotho National, Hlokomelang Makhetha, 35 from Qashasnek were found just near the bridge. The body of the 31-year-old Simnikiwe John Qoyi from Mcwili loc Marubeni A/A Libode was found on the 18 April 2021 at about 16:30 a distance far from where the other deceased were found. It is believed that the deceased were traveling in an Isuzu bakkie with canopy, registration number HTK 947 EC and nothing was taken from them as all their property was found in their possession.
Three (03) cases of murder are under investigation. Anyone with information about the murders is urged to contact Detective Lt Colonel Nceba Mshiyo on 071 475 2292 or SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or on MySAPSApp or any nearest police station. Callers can remain anonymous if they wish to and all information will be treated with strictest confidentiality.