Two high school learners were allegedly raped and murdered in Khayelitsha, an area of KwaNobuhle, on June 18, sending shockwaves throughout the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) when their charred bodies were found in the bushes nearby, as reported by UD Express.
The victims were identified as Sinothando Malinga (19), a Grade 12 learner from Molly Blackburn Secondary School, and Ibanathi Peter (17), a Grade 11 learner from Nkululeko Secondary School.
Four male suspects, aged between 21 and 28, have been linked to the crime.
According to South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, initial investigations had identified eight suspects, but four minors aged between 16 and 18 were questioned and subsequently released.
The atrocity prompted the Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Councillor Babalwa Lobishe, to make an in-person appearance, accompanied by SAPS District Commander of the NMB, Major General Vuyisile Ncata, KwaNobuhle Police Station Commander, Colonel Sakhiwo Dulungana, and Ward 43 Councillor, Mandlakazi Mabuda, at the homes of the bereaved.
“We as the municipality are saddened by the incident that occurred and wish to condemn this unspeakable act. To the parents, the time to be vigilant of our children and keeping a watchful eye over them has come.
“We are also saddened to learn that some of the perpetrators are under legal age. We are of the view that this needs the intervention of families. It needs families and communities to come closer to one another so we can prevent something like this from happening again,” Lobishe said.
“It is tough to express my views on this matter. We, unfortunately, did not bring anything tangible; however, we wanted to show our support to the families by coming, hoping that it would bring some sort of comfort to the families that the municipality is aware of this atrocity.”
She added, “This situation is tough for me as an outsider; I cannot imagine how it feels for a family member. We therefore could not watch idly from afar.”
Lobishe mentioned that the KwaNobuhle area needed intervention from all spheres as the last time she had visited, it was after the tragic loss of the two boys who had drowned in a reservoir dam in KwaNobuhle just a stone’s throw away from the homes of the bereaved.
“We were here for a tragedy of two children who had drowned nearby and now we are back for another tragedy involving a child. We hope for the best for our children and yet the loss continues. An incident like this must never occur again in our community,” she said sternly.
Addressing the children who were present at the mayoral visit, Lobishe said, “There is no reason for anyone to put their hands on someone else, no matter the gender. To hit someone is a crime. When you have a disagreement with someone, you do not fight, but you walk away before the situation escalates. There is never a situation where it is justifiable to hit someone, hurt someone or kill someone.”
Ward 43 Councillor Mandlakazi Mabuda said, “These atrocities that keep happening really hurt. These are our children. Even the perpetrators are our children, which means that we the community have a responsibility.
“We plead that perpetrators stop hurting our women and children, because it could be bad for the community if the women in it united and took a stand against those who hurt us. We do not want to unite while we have that blinding anger, because nothing peaceful can come out of that. No parent should have to go through something like this.”
The Eastern Cape Department of Education MEC, Fundile Gade, said in a statement issued by the department, “We are deeply troubled by the heinous crime committed against two of our schoolgirls in Kariega. Daily, I am becoming convinced that there is a silent war purposely directed against women and young girls. We empathise with the families, their colleagues and the community of Kariega at large,” while emphasising that law enforcement should leave no stone unturned in their investigation.
The four accused briefly made their first appearance at the Uitenhage Magistrate’s Court on counts of murder and rape.
All four accused abandoned their bail applications, which prompted community members present in court to whisper among one another, “They don’t want to come out. They are cowards.”
The National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said, “The NPA will guide further investigations to ensure that crucial evidence is collected for a formidable case to be presented to the court during the trial, to secure convictions and deserving sentences for these heinous acts of gender-based violence.”
The case has been postponed to July 30.
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