7 gruesome murders that shocked South Africans in 2022

The bloodbath of violent crime continues to remain out of control in South Africa, with 2022 being yet another year filled with reports of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), the killing of children, and tavern shootings.

According to the latest quarterly crime statistics – covering the period between 1 July and 30 September – 989 women were murdered and 1 277 women were victims of attempted murder across the country.

558 children were killed in South Africa between April and September this year.

ALSO READ: Women and children continue to be victims of violent crimes

These are the seven gruesome murders that shocked the nation in 2022:

1. Namhla Mtwa’s family still waiting for justice

OR Tambo Municipality worker Namhla Mtwa was shot nine times inside her car on 21 April after arriving home in Sdwadwa, Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.

The 35-year-old sustained gunshot wounds to her upper body and was declared dead at the scene.

Mtwa’s murder sparked public outrage, protests and calls for justice after no arrests were made in connection with her brutal killing.

READ MORE: Lead investigator in the murder case of Namhla Mtwa removed after receiving death threats

In September, Police Minister Bheki Cele said police had to restart the investigation into Mtwa’s murder, after the lead investigator in the case had to be removed after receiving death threats.

2. Hillary Gardee murder

On 29 April, the eldest daughter of former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) secretary-general, Godrich Gardee, went missing in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.

At the time of her disappearance, she was with her three-year-old adopted child who was later found in a street in KamaGugu.

Despite the Gardee family offering a R100 000 reward for information on the 28-year-old’s whereabouts, her body was found four days later on 3 May near a timber plantation outside Mbombela.

READ MORE: Hillary Gardee’s ID found six months after her body was found

She was found with stab wounds, boot prints, and a gunshot wound.

Four suspects – Philemon Lukhele, Albert Gama, Sipho Mkhatshwa and Rassie Nkuna – have been charged in connection with Gardee’s murder.

3. Bokgabo Poo

The brutal killing of four-year-old Bokgabo Poo brought to the fore the safety of children in South Africa.

Poo was kidnapped, raped, murdered and mutilated after she went missing on 9 October.

28-year-old Ntokozo Khulekani Zikhali was later arrested in connection with her murder.

Zikhali has abandoned his bail application, and faces charges of kidnapping, rape, murder, defeating the ends of justice, and violation of a corpse.

READ MORE: Bokgabo Poo: ‘Her eyes were not there,’ says mom

It emerged during his first court appearance that Zikhali was out on bail of R2 000 for the alleged rape of a nine-year-old girl.

The father of 4 year-old Bokgabo Poo, who went missing and was found dead, attacks the suspected perpetrator during court proceedings at the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning. Catch the full story here: https://t.co/0dEJQvejPa#bokgabopoo pic.twitter.com/gYztIVHxNf

— The Citizen News (@TheCitizen_News) October 17, 2022

4. Nomzamo Park tavern shooting – 16 patrons killed

14 July will go down as the most devastating day of the year for many residents of Nomzamo Park, Orlando East, in Soweto.

This after 16 patrons were killed at Mdlalose Tavern, after gunmen randomly opened fire on the people inside the establishment, and later fled.

The incident was part of a series of mass shootings that occurred at various taverns in several parts of the country.

Police do not believe the shootings are related.

Five suspects were arrested in connection with the Mdlalose Tavern shooting.

READ MORE: Manhunt underway for men linked to Soweto tavern shooting

The men are believed to be part of a syndicate that wanted to control abandoned mines, dumping sites and cable theft syndicates in Gauteng.

The suspects’ bail hearing is expected to resume on 16 January 2023 at the Orlando Magistrate’s Court.

5. Bodies of six women found in Joburg

A 20-year-old man was arrested in October for allegedly killing six women and keeping their bodies hidden in his father’s panel beating workshop in Selby, Johannesburg.

The women are believed to be sex workers who had been reported missing.

READ MORE: Case against Joburg sex worker murder accused delayed once again

The grim discovery of their decomposed bodies was made after police were called to the building due to a foul smell emanating from one of the rooms.

Sifiso Mkhwanazi has been arrested and charged with one murder count.

The National Prosecuting Authority said DNA investigations were being carried out to link Mkhwanazi to the other five murders.

Mkhwanazi’s case was postponed to 20 February 2023 due to the outstanding DNA results.

Meanwhile, police confirmed the accused was arrested on rape charges in June 2021, but the charges were later withdrawn.

6. Eastern Cape mother accused of bludgeoning her four kids to death with sledgehammer

The community of Engcobo in the Eastern Cape was left in shock on 9 November 2022 after a 32-year-old woman allegedly murdered her four children using a sledgehammer.

It is alleged that Nomboleko Simayile confessed to her father that she had killed her two boys and two girls – aged 11, nine, two and five – in their sleep.

READ MORE: Four slain Engcobo siblings laid to rest

The 32-year-old faced four counts of murder before she died while still in police custody on 20 November.

The motive for the children’s killing remains unknown.

7. Seven Eastern Cape mourners gunned down

Seven family members mourning the death of a relative were gunned down by armed men who stormed their home in Tantseka village, Eastern Cape, on 16 November.

The victims were aged between 29 and 68. They were in mourning and arranging for the burial of their relative, who was fatally shot in the same month.

READ MORE: Seven EC mourners gunned down, preparing funeral for another relative

It is alleged that the family members were accosted by men who, according to surviving relatives, demanded R50 000 stokvel money that had been paid out to the family.

Seven counts of murder have been opened for further investigation, and the gunmen remain at large.

NOW READ: Five-year-old murdered with spade, possibly raped by relative