GQEBERHA – The cold body of young Gqeberha businesswoman Anathi Maguga (29) was found by SAPS Motherwell with several gunshot wounds on her body on Saturday, 24 October at approximately 12:00.

According to SAPS spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge, Maguga was last seen by her family on 22 October in the afternoon, when she received a phone call and left her home in New Brighton driving her red VW Polo.

“This vehicle was discovered abandoned by SAPS Motherwell members in Dabadaba Street, NU5, Motherwell,” he said. “Maguga did not answer her phone and when she didn’t return home the next morning, 23 October, the family reported her as a missing person at SAPS New Brighton.”

Beetge added that after an extensive search, which included the assistance of the Motherwell community members in finding her, they discovered her body in the bushes at NU29, Motherwell.

“A murder case was opened and is being investigated by SAPS Motherwell,” he said.

The incident prompted an outcry from community members and social media users, who shared testimonials of the type of person Maguga was, with most posts describing her as a dedicated baker.

Mayor calls for collective action

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe conveyed condolences to the Maguga family and called for collective action against gender-based violence and femicide.

“I visited the Maguga family to pay my respects and convey my deepest condolences following the tragic loss of Anathi. During my visit, I also wanted to assure the family of the ongoing efforts by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to investigate this matter and ensure that justice takes its course,” she said.

Lobishe added that she was accompanied by SAPS leadership at district level, Brigadier Humpries and Colonel Dippenaar, and officers from the New Brighton Police Station, as well as representatives of the Community Police Forum (CPF).

She said her visit to the family followed a briefing on the progress of the investigation.

“I acknowledge and appreciate the commitment of the investigating team and the broader SAPS leadership in pursuing all relevant leads to ensure that this heinous act of gender-based violence is thoroughly investigated and that those responsible are brought to justice,” she said.

She added with emphasis that the integrity of the investigation must remain paramount.

Wary of disclosing sensitive investigative details that could compromise the case, she said, “I have no intention of jeopardising the investigation by making public information that could undermine the work of the police. I therefore call on everyone to allow the investigating team the necessary space to carry out its mandate effectively.”

Collective responsibility

She added that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) remain a serious societal challenge that continues to devastate families and communities.

“The tragic loss of Anathi Maguga reminds us that the fight against GBVF cannot be left to law enforcement agencies alone,” she said. “It requires a sustained and coordinated response from all spheres of government, civil society, community organisations, political leadership and every member of society.”

Lobishe called for intensified efforts and the mobilisation of all available government resources and institutional capacity to prevent and combat GBVF.

“We must strengthen preventative interventions, support victims and survivors, improve access to justice, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and address the social conditions that allow violence against women and vulnerable members of society to persist.”

Additionally, she urged government to continue to mobilise every available resource and work collaboratively with law enforcement agencies and community structures to strengthen prevention, victim support, investigation and prosecution efforts.

“We must ensure that our interventions are practical, coordinated and effective, and that our response is aligned with the national framework for addressing gender-based violence and femicide, including the relevant strategic pillars and commitments articulated by the President,” she said.

Lobishe added, “I caution against attempts by any political party or individual to exploit this tragedy for political point-scoring. While public scrutiny and constructive engagement are legitimate and necessary in a democratic society, the suffering of the Maguga family must not be turned into an instrument for political opportunism.”

In her statement, she also said the fight against GBVF transcends political affiliations.

“I call on all political parties and public representatives to contribute constructively to this fight and support initiatives that strengthen community safety, prevent violence and advance access to justice.

“I further call on members of the public to cooperate with SAPS, provide any information that may assist the investigation through the appropriate channels, and refrain from spreading unverified information or engaging in conduct that could undermine police efforts or jeopardise the case,” she said.

Lobishe noted that community cooperation is essential to ensuring that the police can conduct their work effectively and that the pursuit of justice is not compromised.

“The fight against gender-based violence and femicide is a collective responsibility,” she said. “Together, we must work towards a future in which women and all vulnerable members of our communities can live in safety, dignity and freedom from fear.”

Any person with information that could assist police with this investigation can contact the investigating officer at SAPS Motherwell Detectives, Detective Lt Colonel Ntshangase at 079 302 6676 or alternatively Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

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