The community of Seaview in Mbizana in the Eastern Cape lives in fear as thugs are terrorizing the community. Within a month, more than 15 young girls especially from Marina High School, were kidnapped, raped, and killed.

Residents say criminals are also breaking in and stealing electronic appliances.

The selling of drugs to the boys is the main cause of the problem.

Reverand Nolitha Ngubo has been in the village for many years. She says the level of crime and drug use is alarming.

“The gist of the problem in our community is the selling of drugs, there is a lot of selling of substances that are ruining children’s lives, unfortunately, these are being known by the community but some of the people they do not want to tell on these people so that they are known.”

Siyabonga Mthingana is the chairperson of the Community Policing Forum. He says learners are abducted and trafficked for different purposes.

“Here learners are abducted, some they are brutally killed and we do not know why these kids are kidnapped and there are absolutely no arrests. Last month a learner was kidnapped from this school, her body was found at Imizizi location. They are kidnapped on the way back home and killed, especially young men and girls just disappear.”

Learners mainly from Marina High School are the victims of child trafficking. Sometimes they are raped and killed. A nine-year-old has been recently killed and two young girls raped. Zamekhaya Shonga lost her only child.

“My son Sobho never came back, he was sent to a shop and he had only R5. But they took and killed Sobho was brutally murdered for only R5.”

This young woman was raped last night, they broke into her house, and burnt traditional medicine to make her sleep.

“I was fast aslèep, and when I woke up the doors were open, I realized that I have been raped. These people just burn traditional medicines to make victims sleep so that they can break in and do whatever they want to do. They take electronic appliances, abduct and kill people, so we need help, I am last night’s victim.”

Police spokesperson, Thembinkosi Kinana has warned perpetrators to refrain from terrorizing the community.

“We are calling upon the community to exercise the restraint as the suspect has been brought before court as we speak he is in police custody, we must add that those that are out to terrorize our community are warned to refrain from their activities or face the consequences of their actions.”

This terrorized and traumatized community wants the Police Minister to come down and provide leadership in controlling uncontrollable criminality in the rural areas of Seaview, Ebernerzer and Zikhuba Villages.