Cachalia brings in police top brass to hunt down women killer(s)

Acting police minister Firoz Cachalia has roped in big shots — crime intelligence head Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo and KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi — to lead investigations into the killings of nine women in Ekurhuleni.

Cachalia announced the pair’s involvement, led by the divisional commissioner for detective and forensic services, Lt-Gen Hilda Senthumule, during a media briefing by the interministerial committee on gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide yesterday.

The investigations into the killings of the nine women had been led by acting Gauteng police commissioner Maj-Gen Fred Kekana. But Cachalia said the national office is taking charge, with Khumalo and Mkhwanazi assisting.

WATCH | Khumalo and Mkhwanazi to join Ekurhuleni murder investigations

He also confirmed that three suspects have been taken into custody for questioning in connection with the killings.

“I am confident from the report that I have received that the investigation will be concluded successfully,” Cachalia said.

Police have intensified the hunt for the perpetrators behind the crimes that have sparked outrage and left the country in mourning.

Cachalia said the necessary detective resources to properly investigate the cases have been made available.

Police have positively identified seven of the nine women whose bodies were found in Ekurhuleni over the past two months.

I am confident from the report that I have received that the investigation will be concluded successfully.

The women are Myobo Nomfesane, Busisiwe Mahlangu, Itumeleng Kekana, Gracious Nkomo, Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo and Dineo Motapane. Police are still working to inform the family of the seventh woman whose body has been positively identified.

During the briefing, Sindisiwe Chikunga, minister in the presidency for women, youth and persons with disabilities, said police visibility has been increased in Ekurhuleni

In terms of some of the prevention strategies, Chikunga said: “The city of Ekurhuleni will intensify grass cutting and debushing of open spaces and clearing of illegal dumping sites.”

She said government is redirecting the “Love Your Street” campaign to mobilise communities to take an active role in keeping their neighbourhoods clean and promoting shared responsibility for safety.