Read more
Qumbu mass shooting: Eastern Cape police launch manhunt
Yet another EC mass shooting: Six people were killed and four others injured in a deadly 'ambush' at a school in Tina Falls on Sunday night.
Photo for illustration purpose. Picture: iStock
Just as the community of Lusikisiki is still reeling in shock following the tragic loss of 18 lives in a mass shooting a week ago, the police have launched a manhunt for eight suspects in yet another devastating Eastern Cape massacre.
This after six Community Policing Forum (CPF) patrollers were brutally gunned down outside a school near Qumbu on Sunday night, 6 October.
Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, strongly condemned the senseless “ambush” which also left four others injured at the Lugongozo Junior Secondary School in Tina Falls.
“We have mobilised maximum resources, and we are concerned that those who are working and assisting the police are being targeted and attacked. We will do our best to ensure that those who were behind this mass shooting are apprehended.”
ALSO READ: Lusikisiki massacre raises questions on crime
Qumbu mass shooting: CPF patrollers gunned down
According to police spokesperson, Warrant-Officer Majola Nkohli, a group of eight men, armed with rifles and handguns, reportedly opened fire on the group at around 10.45pm.
He said the patrollers were at a local school and preparing for their evening patrols when they were attacked.
“The unknown suspects are still at large, and the motive for the shooting is unknown at this stage,” added Nkohli.
Call for information
The South African Police Service (Saps) urge anyone with information that could assist the investigating team, to contact the team leader on 082-301-7762.
The information may also be shared via the Crime Stop number on 08600-10111.
Masemola to meet with top EC cops regarding mass shootings
National police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, will be visiting the crime scene later on Monday afternoon.
Masemola is also scheduled to meet with the deputy national commissioner (DNC) for crime detection, Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya, Eastern Cape police commissioner Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Lillian Mene, as well as the multidisciplinary team deployed to investigate mass shootings in the province.
The mass shootings come as Saps revealed that it is intensifying its crackdown on serious and violent crime nationwide through its high-density policing strategy, Operation Shanela.
ALSO READ: ‘We’ll not allow criminals to prevail’: Ramaphosa says Lusikisiki shooting won’t go unpunished
RISE Mzansi calls on Ramaphosa to intervene
In the wake of the latest chilling mass shooting in the Eastern Cape, RISE Mzansi chief whip in the National Assembly, Makashule Gana, called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene.
“We are once again and tragically reminded that South Africa is facing a crime emergency, which requires the attention and convening power of the president.
“RISE Mzansi therefore reiterates its call for both mass shootings to be also escalated to the level of the president, who must be regularly briefed, and in turn, with the Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, and national police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, keep the people of South Africa updated on the progress of the cases,” Gana urged.
“This tragic incident once again reinforces our calls for the capacitation of crime intelligence, the detective service and visible policing.”
EC schools safety summit to follow in Qumbu mass shooting
The Eastern Cape Education Department has condemned the bloody massacre.
Bhisho Education Department spokesperson, Mali Mtima, said the tragedy came on the eve of the department’s schools safety summit taking place at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) on Tuesday.
“The purpose of the summit is to review and strengthen school safety while also mobilising civil society and the state towards a safe, violence and threat-free teaching and learning environment for both learners and educators in the province.
“The Nelson Mandela education district was selected to host this summit since it has recently become a hot spot for these crimes and schools have been soft targets for criminals,” Mtima explained.
NOW READ: N2 kidnapping: Alize van der Merwe one of two abducted women found
For more news your way
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
