Teen girl flees out back of torched home
A BLOODTHIRSTY mob slaughtered an archbishop and his family during a violent weekend which also saw four women raped across the Transkei.
The killing of three members of the Nomaqhiza family has sent shockwaves through Lugwijini village in Mbizana, with many residents fearing they could be next.
A girl of 14 escaped the Saturday night attack, which police believe was motivated by claims of witchcraft. They are searching for 10 people in connection with the crime.
Julius Nomaqhiza, 72, an Ethiopian Zionist archbishop, was attacked and killed when he tried to rescue his son Ayanda, 29, from the mob.
Family spokesman Sobhuza Nyengwa said: “He took his walking stick and rushed to the spot but the people there attacked him and killed him near where his son was lying dead in a pool of blood. Their bodies had multiple stab wounds and head injuries, apparently from stoning.”
The mob then moved to the Nomaqhiza’s five-roomed house and set it alight. MaGqema Nomaqhiza, 65, was burnt to death but the couple’s granddaughter managed to escape through a back window.
Nyengwa said the girl was deeply traumatised and has been crying since the attack. “This morning she was taken for counselling,” he said.
Neighbour Mazangwa Gigaba described the family as peace-loving and devout Christians. The archbishop’s wife had visited her hours before the attack to discuss church matters. “Little did I know that would be the last time I saw her. This is cruel and inhumane, killing such sweet people,” said Gigaba, who was cleaning her house when the Dispatch arrived yesterday.
Provincial police spokeswoman Colonel Sibongile Soci said the motive was believed to be linked to witchcraft but residents would not comment. A police detective team has been sent to the village to investigate the murders and bring those responsible to book.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Celiwe Binta said: “We condemn violent and unlawful behaviour and request the community to stand together and stop these illegal actions.”
lPolice yesterday issued a warning to women to steer clear of secluded areas and not to walk alone at night after four women were raped. Mthatha police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Dineo Koena said a woman of 19 was raped while walking home at Manoneni village in Ngcobo at about 8pm on Friday.
“It seems the victim was coming back from a study session at her school when she was accosted by a man who then dragged her to an abandoned house and raped her,” she said. A 20-year-old was arrested two hours later and charged.
A woman of 26 was raped by an unknown man in Tsolo on Saturday shortly after 6pm while walking alone. He fled and is at large.
On Saturday night a woman of 64 was raped in Xhwili near Mthatha. She was asleep at home when a man kicked down her door. Police arrested a youth on Sunday.
In a fourth incident, a woman of 25 was raped by an unknown man in Mandela Park in Mthatha on Sunday at about 2am while walking home. No arrests were made.
Mob kills archbishop and family
A BLOODTHIRSTY mob slaughtered an archbishop and his family during a violent weekend which also saw four women raped across the Transkei.
The killing of three members of the Nomaqhiza family has sent shockwaves through Lugwijini village in Mbizana, with many residents fearing they could be next.
A girl of 14 escaped the Saturday night attack, which police believe was motivated by claims of witchcraft. They are searching for 10 people in connection with the crime.
Julius Nomaqhiza, 72, an Ethiopian Zionist archbishop, was attacked and killed when he tried to rescue his son Ayanda, 29, from the mob.
Family spokesman Sobhuza Nyengwa said: “He took his walking stick and rushed to the spot but the people there attacked him and killed him near where his son was lying dead in a pool of blood. Their bodies had multiple stab wounds and head injuries, apparently from stoning.”
The mob then moved to the Nomaqhiza’s five-roomed house and set it alight. MaGqema Nomaqhiza, 65, was burnt to death but the couple’s granddaughter managed to escape through a back window.
Nyengwa said the girl was deeply traumatised and has been crying since the attack. “This morning she was taken for counselling,” he said.
Neighbour Mazangwa Gigaba described the family as peace-loving and devout Christians. The archbishop’s wife had visited her hours before the attack to discuss church matters. “Little did I know that would be the last time I saw her. This is cruel and inhumane, killing such sweet people,” said Gigaba, who was cleaning her house when the Dispatch arrived yesterday.
Provincial police spokeswoman Colonel Sibongile Soci said the motive was believed to be linked to witchcraft but residents would not comment. A police detective team has been sent to the village to investigate the murders and bring those responsible to book.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Celiwe Binta said: “We condemn violent and unlawful behaviour and request the community to stand together and stop these illegal actions.”
lPolice yesterday issued a warning to women to steer clear of secluded areas and not to walk alone at night after four women were raped. Mthatha police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Dineo Koena said a woman of 19 was raped while walking home at Manoneni village in Ngcobo at about 8pm on Friday.
“It seems the victim was coming back from a study session at her school when she was accosted by a man who then dragged her to an abandoned house and raped her,” she said. A 20-year-old was arrested two hours later and charged.
A woman of 26 was raped by an unknown man in Tsolo on Saturday shortly after 6pm while walking alone. He fled and is at large.
On Saturday night a woman of 64 was raped in Xhwili near Mthatha. She was asleep at home when a man kicked down her door. Police arrested a youth on Sunday.
In a fourth incident, a woman of 25 was raped by an unknown man in Mandela Park in Mthatha on Sunday at about 2am while walking home. No arrests were made.
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