The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that a person of interest is being questioned in connection with a mass shooting, that left 18 people dead, in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape.

“After thorough questioning, detectives will determine if there are grounds to arrest, They (Minister Mchunu and the National Commisisoner, Fannie Masemola) both confirm that as investigations still unfold, police know who they are looking for and are confident that arrests are imminent,” said SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.

Police top brass descended on Lusikisiki today, where officials met with the bereaved families of those who were killed.

We paid our respects to the families whose loved ones lost their lives as a result of the senseless shooting that occured in the early hours of Saturday morning in Ngobozana village in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape. We also engaged the community at the Lusikisiki Resource Centre,… pic.twitter.com/YSVVdRSIaw

— Senzo Mchunu (@Senzo_Mchunu_) October 1, 2024

‘MAJORITY OF THE SLAIN VICTIMS WERE WOMEN’

Fifteen of the victims were women while two were men. The gender of the last victim who died in hospital on Sunday is yet to be confirmed.

It’s understood the family was preparing for a traditional ritual that was scheduled for Saturday to mark the end of mourning period for a mother and daughter who were also shot dead in August last year. The group had gathered to pack goods and presents when they met their fate in the village.

While speaking during a media briefing, Mchunu issued an apology to the families of the 18 victims, who were gunned down in Lusikisiki on Friday. The murders were perpetrated at two homes in the same road, in Ngobozana Village. It’s believed the victims were attending a family gathering.

He also mentioned the fact that the massacre occurred mere hours after police signed a cooperation agreement with the Eastern Cape Provincial Government, and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, to help curb crime. The motive for Friday’s mass shooting is still unclear, and arrests have yet to be made.

Mchunu apologized for the fact that police were not there to protect the victims in their hour of need:

“We are saying to the blood relatives, those left behind, we are sorry and we apologize to you. We may not have heard the voices of these people when they were crying, but now, we can hear their silence,” said Mchunu.

Furthermore, Mchunu confirmed that the crime scene investigation has been completed by experts, and police are busy following the leads:

“Scouring of the crime scene has been completed and the greater part of our focus is now on intensifying the investigation,” said Mchunu.

READ MORE: UPDATE: Death toll rises to 18 in Eastern Cape mass shooting