PORT ELIZABETH - MANHUNT FOR 6 SUSPECTS INVOLVED IN HIJACKING, RAPE & MURDER OF STUDENTS CONTINUES

PortElizabeth police on Wednesday appealed for information to help solve the murder of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University student Thambani Ngwekazi and the rape of his friend.

Ngwekazi, 28, and his 21-year-old friend were hijacked while they were waiting in a gold VW Golf in North End, Port Elizabeth, to pick up two other students for a night out on Saturday, Colonel Priscilla Naidu said.

Six men approached them and forced the two into the boot of their car at gunpoint.

They were taken to a beach in Port Elizabeth. Here, the 21-year-old woman was raped and Ngwekazi was shot. His body was found floating in the sea near Brighton Beach.

The gang drove off with the woman and left her in central Port Elizabeth. She reported the incident to police early on Sunday morning.

The stolen VW Golf was recovered, but no arrests had been made yet.

The university said everybody was shocked by the first year emergency medical student's death. Counselling was on offer for those who needed it. He was originally from KwaZulu-Natal.

Spokesperson Zandile Mbabele said the rape survivor was receiving counselling, as were the witnesses who saw them being bundled into the boot of the car.

Mount Road cluster commander, Brigadier Ernie Neveling, had set up a task team to investigate.

Anyone with information about the murder and rape should contact Captain Klippie Killian of the Mount Road police on 083 391 2377, or Constable Nande Nkaza on 082 442 1384 or 08600 10111.

VIA - news24.com