The death toll in the mass shooting in Lusikisiki has risen to 18, after one of the victims passed away in hospital on Sunday night.
The gruesome incident occurred on Friday night, and a manhunt was launched to track the killers of the latest mass shooting. The motive for the shootings is still unclear. The South African Police Service’s Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the murders happened at two homesteads:
“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,” said Mathe.
A two-month old baby was unharmed.
Eastern Cape Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects who killed 17 people in Lusikisiki last night. Among the deceased are 15 women and 2 men while the 18th victim is in a critical condition in hospital. Videos supplied by SAPS pic.twitter.com/lfLUgBhG6h
— Smile90.4 FM (@Smile904FM) September 28, 2024
It is alleged the victims were getting ready for a traditional ritual, umembulo or ukukhululwa kwezila, which was scheduled for Saturday elsewhere in Lusikisiki, to mark the end of mourning of a mother and daughter murdered a year ago. The group had gathered to pack goods and presents for the occasions when the suspects opened fire at them.
Mathe further added that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu instructed the Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Lillian Mene, to ensure maximum resources are deployed to bring the killers to book.
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