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Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, has called on the South African Police Service to swiftly investigate allegations of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F) in relation to the late Singwa Namhla Mtwa who was found murdered outside her home in Mthatha on April 21, 2022.
It has since emerged this week that Mtwa's death may have been more than just a random criminal act, but a case of GBV&F, which must be investigated. This follows social media posts allegedly made by the victim’s sister on Friday, calling for further action to be take in the matter, showing images of the late Mtwa bearing scars and bruises, alongside her WhatsApp conversations with family and friends alleging the years-long abuse had been at the hands of her long-time lover.
Premier Mabuyane has been updated by authorities in the SAPS regarding the murder case and has called for the net to be cast wide to include investigating the recent developments with respect to GBV&F.
“Someone must answer for the vicious killing of this young woman. We must also find answers to the images that we have seen in the last 24 hours which show that before her death, she was exposed to all manners of barbaric acts,” Mabuyane said.
“Our laws empower us to strengthen the fight against GBV&F and we must use it to expose and bring to book perpetrators of this heinous crime,” the Premier continued.
President Cyril Ramaphosa had earlier in the year signed into law legislation that protects victims of abuse, making it more difficult for perpetrators to escape justice.
“We trust that law enforcement authorities will take all the necessary steps to investigate these allegations and most importantly bring about #JusticeforNamhla. I further call on friends, family and the community of the Eastern Cape at large to support efforts of law enforcement officers in the investigation of this crime," he added.
“We must also do everything in our power to ensure that no other young woman suffers the same fate that has befallen Namhla. Let us raise our voices louder and sharper against all manners of violence perpetrated against women."
Mtwa died after being shot nine times in her driveway outside her house last month.
ISSUED BY: PROVINCIAL COMMUNICATION SERVICE – EASTERN CAPE
