Dismay after Centane traditional leader found slain
Respected traditional leader Nkosikazi Nomlindelo Dondashe has been shot dead.
The body of the acting head of the Ngqusi Traditional Council, 53, was found in Theko Fihla forest, outside Centane, on Wednesday night.
That she was found several kilometres from her home in Nxaxho village, on the other side of Centane, led traditional leaders to believe she was kidnapped before being killed.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the forest where Dondashe’s body was found was near the King Hintsa College’s TVET campus.
“Police were alerted by the community after the body was seen by students,” Naidu said.
“Officers found a bullet wound the the upper body. She was certified dead on the scene. The circumstances surrounding the incident form part of the investigation.”
Dondashe chaired the Lingelihle Feedlot Co-op & Beef Kraal, working with prominent businesswoman Gloria Serobe.
She was deputy chair of the Centane Traditional Leaders Forum. Dondashe was one of the strongest and most vocal women traditional leaders in the Eastern Cape, who strived for the equal treatment of traditional leaders and the preservation of customs and culture.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane was shocked. “This is very bad. Police must do their best to arrest the killers of Mam’ Dondashe,” he said. “We cannot have people killing our leaders and women.”
Colleagues said Dondashe was a champion of women and children’s rights who fought patriarchy yet respected African customs.
Amaxhosa King Ahlangene Vulikhaya Sigcawu’s spokesperson, Ndabele Mtoto, was also shocked. Dondashe was one of his traditional leaders.
“This is a blow to traditional leadership. She is of the Tshawe clan. We call for police to speedily arrest the perpetrators. People who kill must be arrested and jailed. We are against gender-based violence and femicide,” Mtoto said.
Dondashe was a member of Amathole Local House of Traditional and Khoi-san Leaders, headed by Nkosi Xhanti Sigcawu.
Sigcawu and Nkosi Phathuxolo Tyali, with whom Dondashe worked on many programmes, described her as a hardworking developmental traditional leader, strategist and community developer, and one of the strongest women leaders that Centane had produced.
“We have lost a committed and diligent leader.the House, the state and the municipality have been dealt this blow, and all in the House of Phalo and Amatshawe royal clan.”
Dondashe and Tyali worked together in the Lingelihle co-op and a food-production project led by Serobe.
Mnquma municipal spokesperson Loyiso Mpalantshane said Dondashe served for two terms in council as a traditional leaders’ representative.
Anyone with information should contact Sergeant Thandisizwe Magama on 079-8900759, or Centane police on 073288 0340, or Crime Stop on 08600-10111.