KEY POINTS
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Four suspects linked to the murders of two women in Gqeberha were arrested in a joint police operation, with a shotgun and ammunition confiscated.
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The killings occur amid rising violent crime in the Eastern Cape, sparking renewed calls for action against gender-based violence.
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The accused, charged with murder and illegal firearm possession, will face court proceedings as authorities highlight inter-agency cooperation.
Police in have arrested four suspects connected to the fatal shootings of two women in Sakhasonke Village, marking a significant breakthrough in a case that has gripped the Eastern Cape community.
The suspects, aged between 28 and 46, were detained during a coordinated operation involving the Nelson Mandela Bay district detective intervention task team and Operation Bamba units.
The victims, a 40-year-old woman and a 19-year-old teenager, were found dead on Thursday night with multiple gunshot wounds outside a residence in Walmer. “Officers responded swiftly to reports of gunfire and discovered the bodies at approximately 8:30 p.m. Both victims sustained critical injuries, and the motive remains unclear,” said Capt Sandra Janse van Rensburg, who confirmed the arrests.
Community demands justice
Acting on a tip-off, police traced one suspect to Dora Nginza Hospital, where he was receiving treatment for a leg injury. A subsequent raid at a Greenshields Park home led to the arrest of three additional individuals.
Sowetanlive reports that Authorities recovered a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, a box of 9mm ammunition, and other evidence linking the group to the crime.
The arrests come amid escalating concerns over violent crime in Nelson Mandela Bay, which recorded a 15% increase in murders during the first quarter of 2025. Local advocacy groups have criticized the government’s response to gender-based violence (GBV), citing that over 1,200 women were killed nationwide in 2024 alone. “This tragedy underscores the urgent need for systemic intervention,” said Thandiwe Mbeki, a spokesperson for Women For Change.
The suspects face charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and illegal possession of firearms. They are scheduled to appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Meanwhile, Provincial Police Commissioner Lt Gen Vuyisile Ncata praised the operation, calling it “a testament to collaborative policing.”
