King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality executive mayor, Nyaniso Nelani ,has expressed concern at the mass murders taking place in the Bityi policing precinct, saying this had the potential to derail their aspirations for a metropolitan municipality status in 2026.
Nelani expressed his concern following the murder of 10 people in two separate shooting incidents in Upper Qunu and Tantseka Village outside Mthatha, on February 1.
He was one of the first people to arrive at the Upper Qunu shooting scene.
The local municipality has submitted a formal application to the Municipal Demarcation Board for metropolitan city status in 2026.
In the first shooting incident, an elderly woman (62), her daughter (44) and her 13 year old grandson were shot and killed by unknown gunmen in Tantseka Village around 20:00 on February 1.
On the same night, around 23:40, seven people, four males and three females, were shot and killed in Upper Qunu.
The victims of the Qunu incident were identified as adult males, Sakhele Ncedana (27), Nkululeko Ncedana (31), Siphelo Ngalo (27) and Mphathiswa Mdingane (47) – whose home was where the shooting incident took place. The female victims were identified as Sazenathi Saphethu (22), Sihle Khayingana (29) and Afika (22) whose surname has not been established.
On November 8 last year, seven members of the Mgxada family were shot and killed at Tantseka Village in one night.
The family was busy making funeral preparations for another family member who had been shot and killed a week earlier at the time of their attack. Nelani said the mass murders were painting the municipality in a bad light to potential investors and tourists.
“These mass murders are really painting us in a bad light as the municipality as it seems the municipality is a murder scene. This is hammering our vision and plans towards a metropolitan city status as the investors and tourists we need to achieve this will be scared away by these serious crimes,” said Nelani.
Nelani said government needed to work around the clock to stop the mass murders.
Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, also condemned the latest shooting incidents, while calling for the speedy arrest of the suspects.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms this vicious and senseless attack on families,” said Premier Mabuyane. “It is heartbreaking to hear that elderly women, children and heads of households lose their lives in the most brutal way in our province.”
“The high rate of these incidents is indicative of decay in moral fibre. All sectors of society should work together to fight crime and restore peace, as well as promote safety and security in our communities,” Mabuyane said.
He further urged community members with any information that may lead to the arrest of individuals behind the murders to urgently contact the police and share that information.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, said that the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant Genaral Nomthetheleli Mene, had established a task team to track, trace and arrest the culprits involved in both incidents.
Police have urged anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact the Bityi Police Station commander, Lieutenant Colonel Lindile Maqungwana, on 079 696 0708.
