EASTERN CAPE - Following a series of arson attacks at Kwakhanyayo, Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Ntshinga assembled a nine-member high calibre Task team. The team conducted an operation at Zitha village at about 06:00 yesterday, 16 April 2019.
This operation was informed by the evidence previously gathered on the investigation of the arson incident at Sicambeni village that happened on the 31st of March 2019.
During the operation, three females aged between 54-64 were arrested and charged for arson.
One male (35) was arrested for attempted murder following a shooting incident that happened on 23 March 2019. All these attacks follow after a faction fight between two villages of Zitha and Ngquza villages when they attacked Sicambeni and Mgwedlweni villages while they were coming from attending a traditional event.
During the attack, one African male was murdered by Zitha and Ngquza group.
The team has also reopened a case of murder that happened on 11 March 2018 that was withdrawn by the public prosecutor for lack of evidence.
The investigation is on an advanced stage and more arrests are imminent. All suspects are expected to appear at Mthontsasa Court on 17 March 2019.
Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Ntshinga welcomed the news and breakthrough achieved by the team. "I was at Khanyayo and I saw the pain on the women's faces, the devastation on private property and suffering children who had to sleep on the mountain instead of going to school. The team must investigate further and bring perpetrators to book," she emphasized. She also put her unwavering support behind the Task Team.