Sinothando Malinga (19) and Ibanathi Peter (17) were murdered on 18 June. Pictured on the right is Lithaliyanda Ntoni (12), whose body was found on 27 June. (Photos: Supplied) 
Nelson Mandela Bay is reeling from the brutal murders of three girls — a wave of violence that has left families shattered, communities outraged and calls for women and girls to be protected.
In the early hours of Friday, the body of 12-year-old Lithaliyanda Ntoni was found in bushes near Khabonqaba Street, NU6, Motherwell. She had been reported missing on 24 June after disappearing on her way to a nearby shop.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) swiftly arrested a 39-year-old man on charges of kidnapping and murder. Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape SAPS, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, expressed profound dismay at the crime.
“While we commend the swift arrest in this case, the brutal nature of this child’s murder has deeply shocked our officers and the community. We have full confidence in our investigative team and the National Prosecuting Authority to ensure justice for Lithaliyanda and her family.”
At Lithaliyanda’s home on Friday morning, family, friends and neighbours gathered in quiet mourning.
According to a family member at the front gate, Lithaliyanda’s mother was not home as she was in meetings with detectives at the Motherwell police station.
Several people sat in the front yard, speaking in hushed voices. Off to one side, an unidentified man sat on a concrete block, slumped forward with his face buried in his hands, his shoulders trembling as he sobbed quietly.
On Sunday evening Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said the 39-year-old man would appear in the Motherwell Magistrate's Court on Monday. She said the suspect had told police that Lithaliyanda was dead and had pointed out the crime scene. "There was information linking him as the last person to be seen with the young girl," she said.
Just nine days before Lithaliyanda was found, the bodies of teenagers and close friends Ibanathi Peter, 17 and Sinothando Malinga, 19, from KwaNobuhle, Kariega, were found on 18 June. They had been raped, killed and their bodies were burnt. Between January and March 2025, 1,636 counts of rape were recorded in the Eastern Cape.
Earlier this month, Ian Cameron, chairperson of the parliamentary committee on police, expressed concern that no tangible action had been taken to combat gender-based violence.
“Despite the commitment made to the committee in a meeting held on 30 October 2024, there remains a substantial number of administrative and operational non-compliances at police station level. The direct consequence of the non-compliance is that the lives of the victims are endangered,” he said.
‘We’re tired of fear’
Community leader Thamsanqa Nkevu, who found the KwaNobuhle teenagers’ bodies, described the moment as devastating.
“This is a heartbreaking act. Two young people’s lives have been prematurely cut short, brutally so. They didn’t deserve that. We as men need to do more to protect the women around us; it’s our responsibility.
“If we all do our bit in our little corners, we can make a huge impact. Two young girls died at the hands of evil people. As a community, we can no longer keep silent.”
Four men, aged 21 to 28, were arrested and face charges of rape and murder. The four, Akhululwe Pungulwa (28), Anele Ngalo (27), Siphosethu Gomomo (21) and Zubenathi Dyakumeni (26) abandoned their bail application last week.
According to the UD Express, two of the four accused have no prior convictions or pending cases; however, Pungulwa was previously convicted of housebreaking and sentenced to five years in 2012. He was also arrested for assault and gender-based violence, but was released on warning in 2023. Gomomo had no prior convictions, but is currently out on bail for a pending case.
Nkevu, who has spent years protecting his community, often patrolling the streets when children are walking to school, said the four arrested men were not known to the community. He believed they did not live in KwaNobuhle. He said no one in the community could understand the motive for the brutal murders.
Nkevu said that to show unity, planned events like pens-down parties –gatherings to mark the end of exams – were cancelled.
“The community came together to send a strong message to perpetrators: We have seen enough killings and rapes. All of KwaNobuhle will be part of these trials, no free pass. We’re sending a loud and clear message to all perpetrators. We’re tired of fearing,” he said.
Mayor speaks
Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Babalwa Lobishe also condemned the murders, calling them unspeakable. She urged communities to stand together. “It needs communities to come closer to one another so we are able to condemn criminal acts that might hinder us from enjoying the freedom that was fought for and given to us by a democratic dispensation,” she said.
Following the murders, many learners in Kariega cancelled their term-end celebrations and gathered in mourning and protest, Nkevu said.
Their funerals, held separately this past weekend, were attended by fellow learners, teachers and residents who came to pay their respects.
Scores of young people celebrated the lives of Peter and Malinga, but also used the platform to demand justice for all victims of rape and murder.
The air was filled with the powerful lyrics of struggle songs, a poignant expression of the community’s pain. As they laid their loved ones to rest, a resolute message echoed through the crowds: enough is enough.
No longer willing to live in fear, the community has vowed to fight back, determined to bring about change and ensure justice for the victims and their families.
“It’s unfair that our sisters and mothers are constantly victims of these killings,” said Andallah Salie, 19. “They are not safe anywhere, even in their own homes. Their families should be enjoying holidays with them – instead they are burying them. That’s painful.”
Ovayo Snook, 20, expressed the collective anxiety of the community. “This is not normal. There’s fear in the air. Justice must be served. Nothing will bring back their smiles and laughter, but the justice system must not fail them again. This can’t continue. Our sisters cannot keep living in fear. No.” DM