Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape — In the aftermath of a horrific mass shooting that claimed 17 lives in Lusikisiki, the Eastern Cape, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale, and National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola are set to provide updates on the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are urgently searching for those responsible for this tragic event, which left a community in mourning and shock. Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the police spokesperson, confirmed that a manhunt is underway to track down the suspects.
Mathe provided details of the attack, explaining that the violence occurred across two households. The first house saw the brutal killing of 13 individuals, 12 of whom were women, alongside one man. Meanwhile, in a nearby home, four more lives were lost. Among the victims was an 18th individual who was critically injured and remains in hospital.
“In total, 15 women and two men were killed,” Mathe said.
The victims were not random targets but had gathered for a deeply significant traditional ritual. This ceremony was meant to mark the end of a mourning period for a mother and daughter who were tragically murdered a year ago. The group was in the process of preparing goods and presents for the event when the gunfire erupted, turning a moment of remembrance into a night of devastation.
Community in Shock and Fear
Ingquza Hill Mayor Nonkosi Pepping described the tragedy as “gruesome,” reflecting the deep emotional toll the event has had on the local community. Residents are now gripped by fear and uncertainty.
“The incident was bad and scary,” Pepping said, adding that the community is “terrified” following the mass shooting.
The mayor also extended her condolences to the families of the deceased and expressed hopes for a swift recovery for those injured in the attack. Pepping voiced the community’s collective frustration and fear, urging law enforcement to quickly bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We trust the police will soon crack the case and arrest those heartless criminals who showed no regard for human life. The sooner they are arrested the better for all of us,” she stated.
Minister Mchunu is expected to address broader issues of crime and violence that continue to plague communities across South Africa. The Lusikisiki killings are not an isolated event, but part of a disturbing trend of violent crimes that have spurred national concern.
According to law enforcement, these killings appeared to have a deeply personal motive, and while no suspects have been named as yet, authorities are working around the clock to make arrests. National Commissioner Fannie Masemola told Newzroom Afrika that forensic teams and investigators had been deployed to establish the details behind this mass killing.
“We will update once we have combed the scene and our teams have finalised the scene, and we know how many people were there,” Masemola stated.
Masemola also revealed that the two homes where the murders occurred were in close proximity, indicating that all victims were part of a single family. He further explained that while the investigators have yet to interview survivors, the initial investigation will seek to determine how many people survived and whether they can provide crucial information.
