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The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Eastern Cape has arrested three suspects for allegedly killing initiates.
The victims, aged between 19 and 20, were found with gunshot sounds on Saturday, 2 January 2021.
Boys who were at the same initiation school and were bringing them food when they made the gruesome discovery.
They then alerted the elders in the initiation school and the authorities were called to the scene. The killing brings the number of initiates killed this season alone to 10.
The summer initiation season got underway in December 2020 in the country. The winter season had to be suspended earlier thin 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The three suspects aged 27, 35 and 37 were arrested on Monday at Jojweni and Tsomo on Tuesday respectively. They are expected to appear at Tsomo Magistrate’s court today each facing a charge of murder,” Eastern Cape SAPS spokesperson Captain Khaya Tonjeni.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unknown, however the provincial government reacted and called on community members to bring the perpetrators to book.
“The MEC of the Department Xolile Nqata has sent messages of condolences to the bereaved families and has encouraged communities to be vigilant and ensure the safety of initiate all the time,” the provincial traditional affairs department spokesperson Mamnkeli Ngam said.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga has applauded the Task Team for an instruction well executed and a job well done. She has further called for the wheels of justice to turn, in the men’s killings.
“Now we have arrested three suspects, let the full might of the law take its course. We are full of appreciation for the support received from the members of the community. Your support was instrumental in this breakthrough,” Ntshinga said.
