The MEC for COGTA Zolile Williams has learned with disbelief about the news of the strangling to death of Councillor Mzikayise Saki of Ward 2 in Ngxakaxa village at Mbhashe Municipality by two assailants while the councillor was walking home with his girlfriend on the night of 1 July 2023 from a local tavern.
During this gruesome and heinous incident, whilst one assailant was strangling the deceased, the other assailant was raping the girlfriend of the councillor. The ordeal continued until the councillor died. After realizing that the councillor had died, the two assailants proceeded to gang rape the girlfriend.
The MEC wishes to convey his words of condolences to the Saki family, relatives, the ANC, friends, as well as the community of Mbhashe. At the time of his death, Councillor Saki was serving as the Ward 2 Councillor at Mbhashe Municipality.
The killing of Councillor Saki takes place at the back of yet another earlier killing of Councillor Nomxolisi Nqwena-Maliwa of Mbhashe Municipality on the 17th of February 2023 whose body was found in her vehicle with a bullet in the head. The fatal shooting took place at Ngcingwane Location in Dutywa. The circumstances surrounding her mysterious death are still sketchy and the trial is underway at Idutywa magistrate court.
The gruesome murder of Councillor Saki shows the level of impunity that has gripped the country. The heartlessness with which the criminals kill people has reached astronomical proportions. This cannot be tolerated. The perpetrators should not have a place in our communities. Whoever the hooligans are and whatever their motive, the perpetrators will face the full might of the law.
The MEC commends the police for the rapid arrest of the suspects. The MEC calls on the justice system to show no mercy to the suspects.
At the same time, the MEC calls on the Department of Social Development to provide psycho-social support to the rape victim.
The MEC lowers his banner in honour of Cllr. Saki who passed on while in service of the community of Ngxakana village in Mbhashe Local Municipality.
