Mpumalanga premier applauds police’s speedy arrest of Hillary Gardee and Bontle’s alleged killers

Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane has applauded the Mpumalanga police boss, Lt Gen Semakaleng Manamela, for leading a capable police force following the arrest of suspects in connection with the killing of Hillary Gardee and little Bontle Mashiyane.

ALSO READ: Community policing forums in Ermelo are donated patrol jackets

The police worked around the clock until they made a breakthrough and arrested suspects involved in the brutal killings.
During her policy and budget speech on Tuesday, Mtshweni-Tsipane sang Manamela’s praises, citing that the province and country are indebted to her and her team of dedicated investigators.

“The arrest of suspects in the brutal death of Hillary as well as suspects in the murder of Bontle, and other victims of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), is the result of the countless hours that Lt Gen Manamela and her team have dedicated to fighting crime across the province.

The team’s efforts must inspire optimism in our society. It demonstrates that the police are not sleeping on the job and that GBVF perpetrators should know that their days are numbered. Batawukhomba umuti lonetjwala,” she said.

The premier added that, “Our biggest challenge is to rid Mpumalanga of the GBVF scourge. We want women and children to feel safe in their homes and communities. We will soon launch the provincial task team, which will sit on a quarterly basis and, among others, monitor the implementation of all GBVF-related programmes, as well as the implementation of the provincial strategic plan on this scourge.”

ALSO READ: TS Galaxy extends Marks Munyai’s contract

She said in a quest to fight against this new pandemic, her office will also continue to support and convene dialogues with various civil society formations, including GBVF dialogues with traditional leaders and the men’s sector.

Read more about the premier’s budget speech in the next edition of Mpumalanga News.