The brutal killing of an Mdantsane philanthropist has sent shockwaves across the Eastern Cape.
Nkosohlanga Mkhonjwa, 64, died in hospital on Monday after being assaulted over the weekend allegedly after leaving a traditional celebration (umgidi) in Zwelitsha on Saturday.
Mkhonjwa was involved in community development work and a civil society activist, and was the founder of organisations such as Men for Change, a local organisation that fights gender-based violence.
He also founded the Emihle foundation and the Mdantsane heritage foundation, which stood against women and child abuse, as well as youth development. He was also an avid ANC alliance member.
Police spokeswoman Captain Siphokazi Mawisa said a murder case had been opened after the police found a badly beaten Mkhonjwa on the side of the road in Zwelitsha in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“The police are busy with investigations. They were notified by residents that someone had been beaten up, and they responded. When they found him they called an ambulance.” She said no arrests had been made.
Mkhonjwa’s unexpected death has been described as a huge loss by his family and friends alike.
His daughter Asekho described her father as “not the dying type”.
She said the family began searching for him when he had not returned home by Monday morning.
Mkhonjwa was tracked down to Grey hospital where he was in a “bad state”. He was transferred to Cecilia Makiwane hospital on Monday and died that evening after being declared brain dead by doctors, Asekho said.
“My dad had a very passionate nature and was a very big dreamer. He was willing to go the extra mile for everyone. We wouldn’t have thought that someone of his nature would die in such a manner.”
Fellow ANC member Thabang Maseko said Mkhonjwa had changed the lives of many people through his love for civic foundations.
Reverend Xolamzi Sam, a former CEO of Men for Change, described Mkhonjwa as a role model and a pillar of strength for many...