Eighteen people have been killed in a mass shooting in the remote town of Lusikisiki, located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, police confirmed. The victims, mainly women, were gunned down in two homesteads on the same street, with law enforcement authorities launching a manhunt for the perpetrators.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the shooting took place on Friday night. Twelve women and one man were killed at one homestead, while three women and one man were shot dead at a second location. The 18th victim, a woman, succumbed to her injuries on Sunday after being admitted to the hospital.
“The motive behind these horrific killings remains unknown,” Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said on Saturday. He added that no arrests have been made yet, but a team of detectives and forensic experts has been deployed to investigate the crime scene.
The victims were reportedly relatives and neighbors from Nyathi village, Ngobozana in Lusikisiki. South African media reported that they had gathered to prepare for a traditional mourning ceremony for a mother and daughter who were murdered a year earlier. The group was packing goods, including furniture, when the assailants struck.
“We heard gunshots and doors being kicked open,” said Nomnikelo Ndlovu, a resident who managed to hide during the attack, in an interview with state broadcaster SABC. “We tried to hide, but three people were shot. We are still traumatised.”
Mchunu further revealed that 19 people had been sleeping in the two homes at the time of the shooting, with six survivors identified. Among the survivors were four women, a man, and a two-month-old baby. The child was unharmed but taken to the hospital as a precaution. Unfortunately, there were no survivors at the second homestead.
Regional cabinet member for community safety, Xolile Nqatha, expressed hope for the recovery of a critically injured man, stating, “His recovery can help us shed more light on this tragic incident.”
Nqatha also hinted that the assailants might have been familiar with their victims, although investigations are still ongoing.
South Africa continues to grapple with a high murder rate, with over 27,000 murders recorded in 2022. The country has one of the highest murder rates globally, with 45 murders per 100,000 people. Comparatively, the murder rate in the United States stands at six per 100,000.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities have called on the public to come forward with any information that could help bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We will not rest until those responsible for this brutal crime are apprehended,” Mchunu concluded.
