{"id":44181,"date":"2024-10-30T10:43:09","date_gmt":"2024-10-30T08:43:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/chief-gunned-down-five-learners-raped-while-sleeping-in-their-cottage-20241030\/"},"modified":"2025-03-21T10:27:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T08:27:21","slug":"chief-gunned-down-five-learners-raped-while-sleeping-in-their-cottage-20241030","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/chief-gunned-down-five-learners-raped-while-sleeping-in-their-cottage-20241030\/","title":{"rendered":"Police launch manhunt following murder of chief\u2019s mother-in-law, rape of learners in Bityi"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"x_MsoNormal\">The Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, confirmed that police are working around the clock to apprehend those behind two attacks in the Bityi Administrative Area in the last 24 hours in Mthatha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, in the first incident, senior traditional leader, Nogcinile Mtikrakra was gunned down at Mqhekezweni Administrative Area outside Mthatha by two unknown males wearing balaclavas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She said a case of murder has been registered, and the investigating team is already on the ground together with SAPS forensic experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Provincial detectives for the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit are leading the team to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the second incident, according to Mawisa, the five learners aged between 20-25, were raped and robbed at gunpoint in the Mqhekezweni Administrative Area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Provincial Head of the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Investigations Unit (FCS) has assembled a team to investigate and apprehend these perpetrators,\u201d said Mawisa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She said both investigation teams will leave no stone unturned to ensure that these perpetrators are brought to justice.Anyone with information that can assist in tracing these suspects is urged to contact the SAPS Crime Stop number 0860010111 or alternatively report to the nearby police station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene confirmed that police are working around the clock to apprehend those behind two attacks in the Bityi Administrative Area in the last 24 hours in 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