Pretoria: Cabinet has condemned the attack on the Mqhekezweni Great Place in the Eastern Cape, which culminated in the death of traditional leader, Nkosikazi Thenjiwe Eunice ‘Nogcinile’ Mtirara. This was conveyed by Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday. The 71-year-old matriarch was shot to death at her royal home in the province in October. The incident was followed by a heinous attack on learners in the Mqhekezweni area barely a day after the murder of the matriarch.

According to South African Government News Agency, the Cabinet expressed its condolences to the AmaDlomo royal clan and the entire AbaThembu Kingdom, emphasizing the urgency for law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice. Cabinet also condemned the attack on five learners, who were raped and robbed at gunpoint in the Mqhekezweni administrative area. The NATJOINTS have been directed to address the escalating criminal activities, including murders, in the Eastern C
ape.

In other crime-related matters, Ntshavheni highlighted the Cabinet’s commendation of police efforts to combat illegal mining in the North West. An intelligence-driven operation led by NATJOINTS resulted in the arrest of more than 1000 illegal miners at abandoned mine shafts in Orkney since the weekend of 2 November 2024.

Ntshavheni announced that visible policing would increase over the coming weeks and urged citizens to collaborate with law enforcement in tackling crime. The Cabinet welcomed efforts to bolster police capacity with the deployment of 2,800 newly trained officers and anticipates the addition of 2,000 trainees in December 2024 for festive season deployment. Citizens are encouraged to report crime incidents to the police on 0800 10111 and extortion-related crimes to the National Extortion Hotline: 080 091 1011.