Residents in Ngquthuka eQolweni near Ngcobo, Eastern Cape, are accusing local police of failing to address serious crimes including rape and murder. Vulnerable women and the elderly are bearing the brunt of this inaction, prompting calls for government intervention. Community members have taken matters into their own hands after a recent murder.
In the wake of national mourning for victims of gender-based violence, frustration is mounting in Ngquthuka eQolweni at Ngcobo, Eastern Cape. Locals claim police at the Ngcobo station are overlooking rampant crimes, particularly against women and the elderly. This comes amid a fresh incident where a woman was allegedly killed by her partner, who then escaped.
The community responded by tracking down the suspect themselves and delivering him to the police station, highlighting a deep distrust in law enforcement. Resident Thando Tunce described the situation: “We have serious criminal activities that are taking place here, and these criminal activities are made strong by the weakness of the police. From time to time in these villages, we have experience of people getting raped and killed after that. Many people – I think in this village alone, we have three victims in the recent years, and you go to other villages like Caba, Nxamagele and other areas you will find same situation, but there is no justice that is taking place.”
Zamekile Ngxashu, whose granddaughter was allegedly raped and murdered, shared his ordeal: “We played our part. I am the one who found the alleged perpetrator, after getting information from my other children. He told us other people he committed this crime with. We decided not to take law into our own hands and handed him over to the police. But the police are not working with us.”
Nosiviwe Nyangeni, another resident, expressed ongoing fear: “We are not safe. A person cannot be arrested and come back after a very short time. We don’t even know if they get to the police station. These people come back and threaten us that we will follow those that are dead.”
Provincial police have declined to comment, stating they await a full report on the allegations. Residents urge authorities to prioritize tackling crime in the area to protect the vulnerable.