E Cape traffic cop on murder charge

Accused was allegedly in a relationship with the victim

An Eastern Cape traffic officer has been charged with murder after he allegedly shot a woman multiple times in Lusikisiki.

Fanele Nxuseka handed himself over to the police on Wednesday — a day after the fatal shooting.

The accused, who was allegedly in a relationship with the victim, was accompanied by his wife.

Nxuseka appeared in the Lusikisiki magistrates ’ court on Thursday. Residents and various structures of the ANC in Ingquza Hill picketed outside the court in support of the victim, 32-year-old Ncomeka Tenyana, and called for bail to be denied.

Tenyana’s body was found at Ngobozana village near Lusikisiki on Wednesday morning. She was last seen alive on Tuesday evening when she left the home she shared with her child and sisters at KwaGqadula village to meet up with her boyfriend.

NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said Nxuseka’s bail hearing was postponed to Monday.

“The accused remains in custody until the next court date.”

The killing has sparked an outcry in Lusikisiki.

ANC Youth League leader and Ingquza Hill community spokesperson Jonguxolo Mdedelwa, who led the picketing, said gender-based violence and femicide were on the rise in communities.

“The justice system must come in the defence of women who are abused day and night by men. Men and women must stand up and say enough is enough.”

The community handed over a petition to the prosecutor.

“We call upon the state, represented by prosecutors and SA Police Service, to oppose vehemently the bail application of Fanele Nxuseka, for his safety, and for justice to this gender-based violence victim in the name of Ncomeka Tenyana and her relatives and friends,” it read.

Mdedelwa said civil society was bound to fight against “this injustice [allegedly] perpetrated by the accused”.

“We are saying that the safety of people whom [the accused] knows are potential witnesses is not guaranteed. We are also concerned about the accused’s safety as there are many people who have been aggrieved ...” he said.

He said the community was committed to seeing the resolution of the presidential summit against gender-based violence and femicide being implemented by the court.