Bay’s badge of shame as ‘SA’s murder capital’
International report also ranks metro ninth globally for killings
Named the murder capital of SA and ranked ninth globally by an international report, Nelson Mandela Bay is living up to its disgraceful reputation with at least 25 people killed in the city over the past week.
Nearly half of these deadly incidents, one involving a wellknown rugby player, occurred at the weekend.
Another to lose her life was Ntombozuko Kula.
All Kula had wanted after a tough week was to relax with friends in Kwazakhele.
Instead, as the 36-year-old headed home, she was shot twice while crossing the street.
Kula’s death adds to the grim statistics highlighted in a report authored by the Mexican Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice (CPSC), released earlier this month.
In a public statement on Friday, the DA, responding to the findings, called for urgent action to be taken to curb violence in the Bay.
Kula’s grieving family was still struggling yesterday to come to terms with her death two days ago.
“She was special to us,” her cousin, Wendy, said, bursting into tears.
“She was always the life of the party and she had this amazing way of making everyone around her feel happy.
“I loved how she could turn any get-together into a fun time with just her presence.”
Kula’s niece, Liyema, said it was hard to believe she was gone.
“I keep thinking about all the good times we had and it makes me really sad,” he said.
“Losing her is tough and we’re just trying to keep her memory alive.”
Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said Kula and her sister had been at a neighbour’s house in Buyambo Street shortly before the shooting, which occurred at about 10.50pm.
“On her way home, she was shot twice by an unknown [person] in the street,” he said.
Kula was shot in the neck and chest and died in hospital.
The next day, Lylle Nel, 27, the promising captain of the Harlequins rugby team and father of two, was also killed.
At 4am on Sunday, he was gunned down in front of a tavern in Mbeki Street, Govan Mbeki.
Beetge said the gunman and two others had fled on foot.
The motive for the murder was unknown.
Nel’s brother, Dale, said the family and local rugby community were heartbroken.
“He was a good man and a good father.
“He was also a good role model — better than him you won’t find.”
Harlequins president Neville Brown described Nel as a talented player with im
mense potential.
He said he was also a largerthan-life character who gave his all on the field.
On Saturday, Nel’s team were narrowly beaten 24-19 by Missionvale United.
“As captain for the first time on Saturday, Lylle showcased his exceptional skills, leaving a lasting impression on everyone,” Brown said.
“His passing leaves a significant void.”
Also on Sunday, Thembelani Masenkwana was sitting in a bakkie with an unknown man in front of his home in Mavavana Street, Kwazakhele, when he was shot in the face and neck.
His family was too distraught to speak about it
yesterday morning. Beetge confirmed the incident.
On Saturday, the body of Jarome Russell, 40, was found on the corner of Chamois Street and Fitchard Road, Helenvale, just before midnight.
According to Beetge, Russell had been shot several times in the upper body.
On Friday afternoon, another man was shot dead after an argument erupted between two alleged rival gang members in front of a house in Dinsmore Road, Schauderville.
Dominic Ruiters, 36, had been walking to his mother’s house but as he entered through the front door he was shot multiple times.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the 18-year-old suspect was arrested when he returned to the crime scene. The CPSC report’s rankings placing Nelson Mandela Bay at the top of the list are based on the number of murders per 100,000 people but only include cities with a population of 300,000 or more.
The report also only lists cities where crime statistics are readily available.
According to the findings, in 2023 the Bay, with a population of just more than 1.2-million, recorded 950 murders, equating to 77.33 murders for every 100,000 residents.
This placed the Bay seven spots higher than Durban (65.01), and eight spots above Cape Town (63.94).
Johannesburg was ranked 26th (49.54).
Though the Bay ranked highest, it still recorded the lowest overall number of murders compared with some other SA cities on the list.
According to the report, Johannesburg recorded 3,084 murders over the period in question, while Cape Town and Durban had 3,072 and 2,653, respectively.
University of the Free State associate professor in anthropology Theodore Petrus said though there was no doubt the statement rang true, he questioned the methodology used to establish the rankings.
“When you present these figures to people living in crime-ridden areas, I have no doubt many would agree,” Petrus said.
“There’s no denying violent crime is on the rise.
“Our government and the police have admitted as much.
“However, did this research council have people on the ground in Nelson Mandela Bay to do interviews and speak to residents and experts?
“How in-depth is their research really, or are they regurgitating figures quoted in our sometimes inaccurate crime statistics released by the police?”
Petrus, who has done extensive research on crime and gangs in the city, said the report was not “comparing apples to apples and such figures could easily be manipulated to serve a particular political narrative or agenda, especially with the looming elections.
But DA MP Andrew Whitfield said the party’s research team had scrutinised the report and believed it to be an accurate reflection of the current state of the Bay.
“Obviously we don’t have insight into their exact methodology, but the CPSC has been releasing these reports for the past decade and their information holds true to what we see on the ground.
“We’ve seen policing precincts in Nelson Mandela Bay continuously rank in the top 30 nationally for murder according to the police crime statistics and it’s no secret the trend is moving in the wrong direction.
“This report only confirms what we already know.”
Quoting the figures in the report, Whitfield said the Bay’s murder rate had increased 37% compared with the previous research period.
“We need urgent reform of our police management and policing strategy.
“We need to bring policing closer to communities, and restore discipline and professionalism within the ranks of the SAPS.”
Whitfield said the DA would write to the chair of the police portfolio committee to request the authors of the report be invited to present their findings.
Community activist Pamela Mabini said it was heartbreaking to witness the tragic frequency of shootings in Gqeberha, with lives lost far too often.
“We’ve been calling for urgent action,” Mabini said.
“It is needed to address the root causes of this violence and ensure the safety and security of all residents as we don’t feel safe.
“Law enforcement has to also focus on illegal firearms that are all over the city.
“Our thoughts are with the families affected by these senseless acts of violence.”