AN Eastern Cape magistrate was gunned down in front of her family on Saturday, 12 October.
The 38-year-old magistrate was killed in cold-blood in front of her husband and children near Mbizana.
Police spokesman Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said: “The eMaXesibeni, formerly Mount Ayliff magistrate and her family had gone to drop off their mother in a village when they came under fire. Gunmen opened fire on their vehicle. As they were driving towards Nomlacu locality, near Faith Mission Church, a white Ford Ranger double cab appeared and pretended to be overtaking their car. Unidentified occupants started shooting at the family vehicle.
The magistrate died on the scene while her husband suffered serious injuries in the lower and upper body. Their 13-year-old son was also wounded, while a 10-year-old was unharmed.
The husband, who was the driver at the time, did not stop but rushed to a nearby hospital. The motive for the attack on the family is not known at this stage. However, the police have registered a case of murder and three cases of attempted murder for investigation.
Kinana said acting provincial police commissioner Major-General Thandiswa Kupiso has established a task team of investigators to track and trace the culprits, while ordering the activation of a 72 hours mobilisation plan for the speedy arrest of the suspects involved in the killing. No arrest has been made at this stage.
In another incident on Friday, 11 November, Mthatha cops opened a case of murder after a 32-year-old woman died after she was shot several times in Fortgale.
You must be SIGNED IN to read comments
According to Sergeant Kaya Matola-Mvanyashe, two women were walking on a footpath from the R61 road, not far from Mpuku area in Fortgale, Mthatha, when an unknown man shot at one of the women several times. The motive behind this killing is unknown.
Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects in both incidents should contact their nearest police station or call CrimeStop on 08600 10111. All the information provided will be treated with confidentiality.
