On Tuesday night, Chieftainess Nogcinile Mtirara of the Eastern Cape royal family was killed in a brutal attack at her home in Mqhekezweni, located near Mthatha.
Story Summary:
- Chieftainess Nogcinile Mtirara of the Eastern Cape royal family was shot dead at her Mqhekezweni home by two masked suspects.
- Police are also investigating the rape and robbery of six Grade 12 pupils in the same area on the same night.
- The two incidents have shocked the local community as investigations continue.
Nogcinile Mtirara murder: Here’s what we know
According to police reports, two unidentified men wearing balaclavas entered her residence, reportedly in search of her son, before shooting her on sight.
Nogcinile Mtirara was the granddaughter-in-law of AbaThembu regent Jongintaba Mtirara.
A murder case has been opened, with the Serious and Violent Crimes unit leading the investigation to locate the suspects responsible for this high-profile attack.
Family spokesperson Mandlonke Mdazuka expressed the family’s shock at the murder, stating that Mtirara was shot immediately after stepping out of her room to confront the intruders.
The murder coincides with another violent incident in Mqhekezweni on the same night, where six Grade 12 pupils were reportedly raped and robbed at gunpoint.
The students, who had rented a nearby house, were assaulted by armed suspects who remain at large.
Lt-Col Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed that the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Investigations unit (FCS) has assigned a specialised team to investigate this case.
It is unclear whether the murder of Chieftainess Mtirara and the attack on the pupils are connected, though the two incidents have heightened concerns about violence in the Mqhekezweni area.
Police have yet to release further information on possible links between the cases.
