Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula has instructed police to ”leave no stone unturned” in tracking down the killers of kidnapped student Leigh Matthews, whose naked body was found dumped in a field south of Johannesburg on Wednesday.
Nqakula’s spokesperson, Matthew Moonieya, said on Thursday morning his minister’s reaction to news of the murder, which has attracted massive media coverage, is ”obviously one of shock, and compassion for the family”.
”He has given instructions to the police force to leave no stone unturned in bringing those responsible to book.”
Meanwhile Johannesburg police said a post mortem would be conducted on Matthews on Thursday to determine exactly how she died.
She was last seen on her way to the Bond University in Melrose, Sandton, on Friday, July 9, and the alarm was raised when she did not meet her mother as planned to discuss preparations for her 21st birthday party the following night.
Matthews was reportedly shot but Johannesburg police spokesperson Superintendent Chris Wilken issued a statement urging the media to stop speculating about the causes of her death.
Reports have included that her body had been lying in the field for five days.
”This is pure speculation and places unnecessary pressure on the family whilst they need time and space to peacefully mourn and overcome their tragic loss,” Wilken said.
He confirmed that there were wounds on the body but would not provide further details until the post mortem was completed.
Meanwhile, Bond University said it had reviewed its security measures following Matthews’ kidnap.
They had increased the number of guards on campus and ”already security is very visible” said spokesperson Taryn Proksch.
Proksch said the entire campus was affected.
”We are a close knit university, everyone talks about it, obviously it affects us all,” she said.
Students and lecturers had set up a memorial for Matthews, and candles, flowers and pictures of her had been placed at the entrance to the reception area and students could also sign a memorial book.
Vice-chancellor Dolina Dowling said in a statement: ”We are devastated by this news. Our hearts go out to the Matthews family at this time.”
A close friend and classmate of the student said tearfully: ”I am so sad, I just can’t talk about it, I can’t.”
Gauteng’s minister for community safety, Firoz Cachalia, said he had held onto the hope that Matthews would be returned.
”One cannot fathom what leads human beings to commit such heinous crimes against one another,” Cachalia said in a statement.
Expressing condolences to her family, he said the department would channel its energies into apprehending and prosecuting the killers.
Earlier the African National Congress said the ”sick” people responsible for her death must be tracked down.
”We must find a way to deal with this and we must be committed to weeding out these elements. We can’t unite as a nation if these sick elements are in our midst,” said spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama.
The Pan Africanist Congress said it was concerned that kidnapping for ransom added a ”dangerous new dimension” to crime.
”This sort of thing, if not nipped in the bud, could result in the daily kidnapping of citizens in this country making a living out of ransom or murdering,” said Pheko.
Gareth Newham, a project co-ordinator at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, agreed with Ngonyama that Matthews’ murder might affect national unity as it would make people less willing to meet new people and go to new areas.
Those who could afford it would increase their security measures. Others would want to buy guns, and parents would not want their children to play in the streets.
He added that the ”sad outcome” of Matthews’ kidnap and murder was that it would make kidnap a more risky option for criminal due to the high profile media exposure of this case.
Kidnappers would realise that victims’ families would not heed instructions to not phone the police because they would see that it did not help.
Matthews’ family said that they had adhered to all the kidnappers’ instructions which included that they drop off the ransom without involving the police. – Sapa