Police questioning man about Lusikisiki massacre

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said those behind the Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, mass shooting that left 18 people dead have been identified.

Seventeen family members were killed by unidentified gunmen who opened fire at a homestead on Saturday, and an 18th person died in hospital on Sunday.

Two other victims are still fighting for their lives in hospital.

The victims of the shooting include 15 women and three men with two teenagers – aged 14 and 19.

Daily Maverick reported that community members said on Sunday that the family had gathered to prepare for Umombolo, a traditional ceremony signalling the end of a mourning period.

The deaths they had been mourning were of their grandmother and sister, who were both gunned down last year.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lusikisiki yesterday, national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola said a person of interest is already in their custody.

“The person is not arrested yet, but we have a direction in terms of our investigation.”

During an engagement with the Lusikisiki community, Mchunu said the police are closing in on the perpetrators.

“We are not beating around the bush. We know the people who killed those defenceless people. General Masemola will make a public pronouncement,” said Mchunu.

“The person or persons who attacked those defenceless people are barbaric. They were using different guns and were patient during that attack, making sure that their victims were dead,” said Mchunu.

He said he was told by the families of the two homesteads where the victims were killed that it was still smelling like blood.