The DA is offering a R50,000 reward that could lead to the arrest of the murderer of DA ward candidate and community activist, Sinovuyo Dyokwe, who was gunned down on her way home on Saturday evening.

Dyokwe had spent the day helping out at a voter registration venue. Police say a lone gunman approached her on foot on Mnandi Street at around 18:00 and shot her.

Chairperson of the DA’s Cape Metro Region, JP Smith, says there are some worrying indications that Dyokwe may have been targeted.

“Immediately, various people came forward with information around things that they were aware of that they thought may have relevance and may have led to this. I think the most disturbing is the extortion case she made in February. She approached me with information that she had been threatened in relation to an extortion matter where a group of men had demanded protection money from her. We arranged for her to go and open a case with the South African police at Milnerton SAPS.”

Smith says extortion remains a huge problem in Du Noon.

He has also called on the National Government to obtain the necessary crime intelligence and determine whether there is an imminent risk of political violence and intimidation that will mar the freedom, fairness, and safety of the upcoming local government elections.

Smith says the City’s investigators are working closely with the SAPS, and they have been speaking to several witnesses.

“We have informed the police that the DA is offering a R50,000 reward for information, if that should help get informants to come forward.”

DA Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis on Sunday visited Dyokwe’s family to pay his respects. He says Dyokwe recently helped grow the DA to its best-ever by-election results in Du Noon.

Hill-Lewis says the party cannot rule out political motives for her murder.

“It would be deeply worrying if the DA’s growing presence and support in townships across South Africa is met with intimidation and violence. That has no place in a democratic South Africa. I urge the police to act swiftly to find those who did this.”

The DA has condemned the murder of its Du Noon Ward 104 by-election candidate and community activist, Sinovuyo Dyokwe, who was gunned down on her way home on Saturday evening.

Dyokwe had spent the day helping out at a voter registration venue.

Police say a lone gunman approached her on foot on Mnandi Street at around 18:00 and shot her.

Brigadier Novela Potelwa said provincial serious violent crime detectives were still processing the scene on Sunday morning, and no arrests have been made yet.

In a statement, the DA Cape Town Metro region expressed its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Dyokwe.

Constituency Head Nicholas Gotsell said he would be engaging with the SAPS to ascertain the facts of the case.

“Known for her bright smile and bubbly personality, Sinovuyo was instrumental in growing the DA voter base in Dunoon and cemented herself as a reliable and effective community activist.”

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has expressed his shock.

“Sino was an energetic activist and helped the DA to its best ever growth result in a recent by-election, where she was our candidate. Residents in the community loved Sino, and she could always be found walking the streets of Dunoon helping improve services. I pray the police find those responsible for her death quickly.”

The MEC for Community Safety and Police Oversight, Anroux Marais, says there has been speculation that the murder may be linked to Dyokwe’s political activities or to her outspoken stance on crime and criminality in the area.

“At this stage, it would be irresponsible to speculate on the motive. However, all possible motives must be thoroughly investigated. Whether this murder was politically motivated, linked to her community activism, her anti-crime advocacy, or any other criminal motive, those responsible must be identified, arrested, and successfully prosecuted.”

Marais has called on the South African Police Service to dedicate every available resource to the investigation.

The DA has arranged counselling for Dyokwe’s family, friends and colleagues.

The Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit has called on the public for assistance in identifying and locating individuals who detectives believe could help them with their investigation into the murder of a man in the News Cafe restaurant in Blouberg on 25 May.

Police have released photographs of the men and appealed to anyone with information regarding their identities and whereabouts to contact the investigating officer immediately.

The victim, who has been identified as 33-year-old Vhahangwele Makolana, was sitting at the News Cafe on Marine Circle when three men entered the shop, walked up to him and randomly started shooting at him.

The suspects took his two laptops, cellular phone and fled the scene. He was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel.

A video of the incident went viral on social media. Police say the three suspects are yet to be identified.

However, police believe the five persons of interest might be able to shed light on the matter. If anyone has any information, they have been asked to contact Detective Warrant Officer Bradley Davids on 082 778 7345.

Below are the photos of the three individuals sought:

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*This article was amended; there are not five individuals, but three.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has now given the City of Cape Town seven days to respond to a list of urgent demands submitted earlier this morning, following a protest that laid bare the deep financial strain many households are under.

Read more: COSATU Takes Cost of Living Fight to Parliament

A group of about 150 residents joined and voiced their support for the march, underscoring the growing anger and exhaustion over the rising cost of living in Cape Town.

COSATU’s Malvern de Bruyn said residents across the City of Cape Town are being pushed to the edge by relentless increases in electricity tariffs, transport fares, and basic food prices. He stressed that immediate intervention is needed to prevent already struggling families from falling further into hardship.

“We are giving them enough time to respond to our demands. We want solutions and we want them soon. If we are not satisfied with the outcome, we will go back to the drawing board, which could see another march in the City.”

Although the demonstration was organised at short notice, de Bruyn said the turnout reflected a deeper reality: many residents are no longer coping with the relentless squeeze on their incomes.

Speaking to SmileFM News, several protesters, who asked to remain anonymous, described the daily struggle of trying to sustain their families despite being permanently employed.

One resident said the burden of rising costs has become unbearable.

“The cost of living has increased enormously in recent years. We cannot keep up. I am paying nearly R50 a day for electricity and I just can’t afford it.”

 

Another protester pointed to the relentless rise in fuel prices and its knock-on effect across the economy.

“We keep seeing the petrol price increasing and then decreasing, but we never see the prices of food decreasing, even though prices are increased as a result of fuel prices. It has reached a point where I am living pay cheque to pay cheque and I can’t afford the things I could before. I am just buying the things we need, yet I am still struggling.”

 

De Bruyn confirmed that COSATU will await the City’s response before deciding on the next steps, including possible further action should the demands not be adequately addressed.