Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle reacted with shock at the slaying of three women in the Centane area on Tuesday night.
In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, Masualle declared that the focus on the high level of contact crimes, including crimes against women and children, will receive the continued focus of government.
He said two gunmen carried out their murderous spree in Ngunduza in the Kwetshe Administrative Area near Centane
“At approximately 21h00 two unknown men arrived at the house of the first deceased where they shot and killed a 48 year-old woman. The incident was witnessed by the deceased’s 23 year-old son. She was hit in the head,” Masualle said.
“From there the suspects went to another house approximately 800m away, where they shot and killed a 60 year-old woman and 45 year-old woman execution style. All the deceased died at the scene, the women are not related,” he said.
‘‘As we come out of an intensive months-long series of community engagements across the length and breadth of our province, in which we have been driving the message of NO TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN, which we capped with an equally intensive Women’s Month program-of-action, it cannot be that we still see such heinous crimes being perpetrated in our midst’’, said Masualle.
‘’I must declare here and now that the focus on the high level of contact crimes including crimes against women and children in our province, are going to receive the continued focus of government, as we all strive to eradicate crime and criminality from among our communities.
‘’Ridding our communities of crime is not a fight that government can win alone. It is a societal responsibility and will require each of us to play our part.
‘’I urge all those with knowledge of this heinous crime to come forward and assist the SAPS in their investigations. To all women and children in our great province, the Home of Legends, allow me to reaffirm in your hearts and minds my and Government’s unwavering commitment to making you feel safe and ensuring that you are safe and protected.
‘’The SAPS are equally committed to leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of those responsible and to bring them to justice,” Masualle said.
The motive for the triple killings is not yet known.
