Manhunt underway after Speaker at Fort Beaufort municipality gunned down

Investigations are currently underway in Fort Beaufort after the Speaker of the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality was gunned down late on Monday night.

News of the shooting comes just after Deputy Minister of Police Bongani Mkongi recently re-opened the Fort Beaufort Police Station. Mkongi is also expected to spend 67 minutes honouring Nelson Mandela International Day in Fort Beaufort.

According to the police, Thozama Njobe, was shot at close range by an unknown person, while she and another person were driving from a gathering in New Town, Fort Beaufort.

Police spokesperson, Colonel Sibongile Soci, added that Njobe sustained wounds in the upper body in the shooting and was rushed to a local hospital where she was declareed dead on arrival.

A team of  "seasoned detectives" has been tasked with bringing her killers to book.

"We request the Fort Beaufort community to stand up together and provide the police with information on the identity and whereabouts of the perpetrator and any information that will assist with the investigation," said Eastern Cape SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga.