A 53-year-old woman and her 33-year-old sister were burnt to death at Ngonyameni village, EmaXesibeni (formerly Mount Ayliff) over allegations of witchcraft last week.
In a separate incident an 82-year-old Ngqamakwe woman survived being hit on the head with a hammer and having her throat slit.
The sisters were attacked on Wednesday. Police spokesperson Captain Khaya Tonjeni said: “No one has been arrested yet but detectives are following strong leads and an arrest is imminent. Two cases of murder have been opened and are currently under investigation. The police appeal to members of the community not take the law into their own hands but to report any development that could assist to speedily solve the case to the local police,” said Tonjeni.
Police provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga and Alfred Nzo district municipality mayor Sixolile Mehlomakhulu condemned the attack on the women.
A team of investigators had been assembled to investigate. “No stone will be left unturned to bring the perpetrators to book,” said Ntshinga.
Mehlomakhulu called upon the police to strengthen visibility and act with speed to arrest the perpetrators.
He said it was shocking and painful that the attacks happened so soon after the end of the 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children.
Butterworth police spokesperson Captain Jackson Manatha also confirmed that a case of attempted murder was being investigated following the attack on the 82-year-old.
He said no arrests have been made.
Mnquma municipality spokesperson Loyiso Mpalantshane said the municipality was horrified .
“More disturbing is that this incident happens at a time when government is going all out to raise awareness and urging society to desist from such heinous acts.”..