Fifteen women and two men killed in Eastern Cape mass shooting

Seventeen people were killed in two separate shootings in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, on Friday night.

Police have launched a manhunt.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said in one house, 13 people were killed, which include twelve women and one man.

In another homestead, four people were also killed. The eighteenth victim is in a critical condition in hospital. In total 15 women and two men were killed.

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“What happened in Lusikisiki is a sad event. We don’t know the motive of the killing at the moment and also don’t know if it is one suspect or more responsible for the murders,” said National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.

“We are waiting for our teams to comb the crime scene and from there, we will know what exactly happened.”

DispatchLIVE reports that the victims, believed to be relatives and neighbours, were preparing for a traditional ritual, umembulo or ukukhululwa kwezila, scheduled for Saturday. The ritual was to mark the end of mourning of a mother and daughter who were murdered a year ago.

The group had reportedly gathered to pack goods and presents for the event when the shooting occurred.

Eastern Cape crime shootings

This comes just a day after the Eastern Cape Provincial Government, the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) signed the Cooperation Agreement for collective effort to enhance safety and security in communities.

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According to the crime stats released late last month, the Eastern Cape is one of the four provinces where there is a scourge of crime.

The province recorded an increase of 2.6% or 30 counts in murders. Its police stations accounting for six stations among the top 30 stations for murder.

The police stations in New Brighton, Kwanobuhle, Kwazakele and Motherwell within the Nelson Mandela District, Willowwale in Amathole District and Mthatha in OR Tambo District were part of the list.

Last Friday in Zwide, four people killed in a mass shooting. A day later, still in Zwide, a 25-year-old police officer was stabbed over a cellphone. In Gqeberha, an elderly woman, aged 85, was brutally attacked in her home.

The Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, the Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale and Masemola are expected to update the media on SAPS nationwide crime combatting efforts.

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