THE MEC FOR COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE & TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS (COGTA) PLACES THE HEADMAN: AVELA NJUQWANA OF TSHOLORA ADMINISTRATIVE AREA UNDER THE GCALEKA NCIHANA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL-WILLOWVALE ON PRECAUTIONARY SUSPENSION
The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the Eastern Cape, MEC Zolile Williams has placed Avela Njuqwana, the Headman of Tsholora Administrative area on precautionary suspension with immediate effect pending investigation.
The suspension follows an image and a video clip that went viral on social media platforms on 30 January 2025. The video depicts an heinous incident of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in which the Headman is assaulting an elderly defenseless granny with claps on the cheeks who was sitting on a chair and the perpetrator standing in front of her repeatedly beating her.
When the perpetrator was restrained by another granny who was standing by attempting to stop him from beating the old lady, the perpetrator unleashed multiple fists on the face of the other old lady to a point where they both fell on the ground. The perpetrator continued to assault the two powerless and helpless grannies with impunity. Ironically as the fracas was going on, a group of men was watching the heinous incident giggling non-chalantly.
To this, the MEC for COGTA empowered by Section 32 of the Traditional Leadership and Governance Act of 2017 which provides for the placement of a Traditional Leader who has allegedly and grossly violated the Code of Conduct for Traditional Leaders to be placed on precautionary suspension pending the finalisation of the investigations. The MEC has with immediate effect placed the traditional leader on precautionary suspension pending investigations. The MEC views the video in a serious light and will leave no stone unturned until justice is served for the two elderly women. Media Statement on the 31 January 2025 The MEC appreciates the work of Chief Bambilizwe Sigcawu for the swift intervention as well as the swift action of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in arresting the perpetrator.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has already rolled out due process to give effect to the suspension.//End//
Issued by Cogta EC. For more information, please contact Mamnkeli Ngam on 071 685 7981 or Pheello Oliphant on 082 432 6433.
