A mass shooting in the remote town of Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, South Africa, has left 17 people dead, with an 18th victim critically injured, police have confirmed. The attack, which occurred on Friday night, targeted two homesteads on the same street in Nyathi village, Ngobozana.
In one location, 12 women and one man were killed, while three women and one man lost their lives in the second homestead. The victims were reportedly relatives and neighbours who had gathered to prepare for a traditional mourning ceremony for a mother and daughter who were murdered a year ago. They had been packing goods and presents for the event when the attackers struck.
Eyewitness Nomnikelo Ndlovu, who survived the attack, told state broadcaster SABC: “We heard gunshots and doors that were kicked… We tried to hide and three people were shot. We are still traumatised.”
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who is expected to visit the area, stated that 19 people had been sleeping in two homes at one of the locations, with six survivors, including a two-month-old baby who was unharmed but taken to the hospital as a precaution.
There were no survivors at the second homestead. A team of detectives and forensic experts from Pretoria has been dispatched to gather evidence and aid in the manhunt for the attackers. No arrests have been made yet, and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear. However, officials suggest the attackers may have been known to the victims.
Regional cabinet member for community safety, Xolile Nqatha, expressed hopes that the critically injured man would recover, as he could provide crucial information about the incident. “His recovery can help us shed more light on the shooting,” Nqatha told SABC.
South Africa, which has one of the highest murder rates globally, continues to grapple with gun violence. In 2022, the country recorded over 27,000 murders, a rate of 45 per 100,000 people, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, making it one of the most dangerous nations in the world. The United States, by comparison, has a murder rate of six per 100,000 people.
This latest tragedy highlights the ongoing challenges South Africa faces in addressing violent crime, particularly in rural areas like Lusikisiki. Local authorities are working to ensure that those responsible for this horrific attack are brought to justice.
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