Man arrested after rape and murder of two women

The suspect reportedly went on a rampage, kicking doors open and attacking families.

A killing spree in the village of Drayini at Qhumanco outside Ngcobo in the Eastern Cape has left the community in shock. Two women have been raped and murdered. During the attacks a grandmother and a boy were stabbed and there was an attempt to rape another woman. 

A man has been arrested in connection with the crimes.

The suspect went on the rampage, kicking doors open, raping and killing the women. He allegedly started with the Xhego family home, where a 21-year-old woman was sleeping alone.

He then proceeded to the Dyabhoyi house, not far from the Xhegos, where he allegedly attempted to rape a 35-year-old woman. She resisted and the suspect stabbed her. 

The woman's mother and son were woken by the noise and tried to rescue her, but they were also stabbed. The woman then went to ask for help from the neighbours where she died.

The Dyabhoyi family spokesperson Khawulezile Zenani says they are devastated. "Our hearts are broken. We are still in shock as the Dyabhoyi family. I still have a picture of Funeka lying dead there in a pool of blood. I do not know what is going to happen after this incident."

Community members are furious as they claim this is not the first time this has happened. 

The mayor of Ngcobo, Lamla Jiyose, has condemned the incident. He promised the families that the municipality will assist with funeral arrangements.

"As the municipality of this area we strongly condemn this kind of incident. This is very bad. As you are correctly saying that this is 
not for the first time. An investigation was done according to the investigator but there was not enough evidence to link those who were accused with the incident  that's why they were later released. So hence we are saying to the people who are responsible for investigation that they must ensure that they collect enough evidence so that those who are responsible can be taken to the court of law," says Jiyose.

The injured grandmother and her grandson were admitted to hospital in Ngcobo. The suspect has been arrested and will be charged with two counts of murder, attempted murder and rape.