THE residents of Matatiele in the Eastern Cape are living in fear after a gruesome murder struck the village again.
A 25-year-old woman was allegedly discovered in her bedroom with an electric cord wrapped around her neck and hanging.
Boitumelo Nkholise was found half-naked with her body bearing signs of brutal assault on Monday, 16 September.
Ward 13 Councillor Makopano Shale, who was among the first people to arrive at the scene, said what they saw that day was painful.
"We found her hanging. Her body had bruises. She was half naked with a bucket of water next to her.
“I assume the rapists asked her to clean herself after the deed because that’s what they do to get rid of the evidence,” she said.
Shale said this is not the first incident reported in the area and will certainly not be the last if nothing is being done.
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“We need police visibility in the area, or mobile police stations so that these thugs can at least be shaken. People are being killed in this area, people are being raped, and gunshots go off while you are at home. This is not right. We are pleading with the government to send police in the area,” said Shale.
Daily Sun reported a similar killing in Matatiele in April 2023 when Fihlekile Ramatlapeng (41) was brutally murdered in her house at Mhareng location, Avondale.
Fihlekile's cousin, Mapheko Khoncha told Daily Sun that her cousin’s body was found on the floor with three gunshot wounds.
Boitumelo’s uncle, Lichaba Nkholisa, said he wants justice for his niece.
“I am sure they killed her because she recognised them. Nothing is being done. I need help. The government should stand up and tackle crime head-on,” he said.
Eastern Cape police spokesman Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli confirmed that they're investigating a case of murder, house robbery, and rape following the attack on Boitumelo.
He said they found her half-naked and hanging, with her cellphone missing.
Nkohli said a preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased woman was also sexually assaulted.
