Justice is still being sought for Namhla Mtwa who was gunned down with more than 9 bullets at the gate of her home in Mthatha on 21 April 2022 by a hitman allegedly hired by her abusive lover of 17 years Major Bhekezulu Mfesane.
Various media publications have reported about Namhla’s murder. SABC News on 26 April 2022 quoted family spokesperson Thembakazi Mtwa saying,
“Pulling the trigger at a close range, and I swear, I swear that he makes sure that he is killing her. That man wanted to make sure that she is dead, she is dead and I was just outside crying, calling people, calling people because I see this man was killing her.”
“I want justice to be served here in South Africa, many of our kids have been killed, especially women. I do not understand how you can kill, how can you shoot a helpless woman with a gun. I do not know, I do not understand it really, that is why I am asking the justice system to be served in this country,” added Mtwa.
According to SABC News, the Eastern Cape police spokesperson Thembinkosi Kinana said
“The 35 year-old woman was arriving at her home, when she came under attack from an unknown suspect, who fired several shots and the woman died at the scene. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under the investigation, we have registered a case of murder.”
Namhla Mtwa also known as Hlehle worked in the Budget and Treasury Office at the OR Tambo District Municipality as an Assistant Accountant. According to her family, she had been in a bad relationship for a long time. During this time last year, Hlehle is said to have been assaulted by her “untouchable” lover but this time she paid with her life.
News24 on 12 May 2022 reported that employees and members of community at the O.R Tambo District Municipality hosted a peaceful walk, demanding justice for Hlehle. The Executive Mayor for OR Tambo District Municipality, Mesuli Ngqondwana, assured the mourners, including Mtwa’s family, that the district municipality was working with the relevant law enforcement agencies, traditional leaders and civic organisations to put an end to the spate of killings in Mthatha.
The man who is said to have planned was allegedly her boyfriend, a Mthatha businessman who isn’t afraid of anyone. Twitter user @Thembisile_Q named him as Bhekezulu Mfesane. In 2018, he was allegedly charged with premeditated murder for the murder of Mxolisi Mthunjwa and also with attempted murder for shooting Thembela Somana in August 11.
