A tragic incident unfolded in Lusikisiki, a rural town in South Africa‘s Eastern Cape province, where 17 individuals were killed, including 15 women, during a shooting that occurred on Friday night.
The police have since launched a search for the suspects involved in this heinous act.
Authorities, including national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, reported that the shootings took place at two nearby houses during what local media described as a family gathering.
In one house, 12 women and one man lost their lives, while in the other, three women and one man were killed.
Fortunately, four women, a man, and a two-month-old baby survived the ordeal.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu announced that a specialized team of detectives and forensic experts has been deployed to investigate the incident.
He expressed confidence in their ability to apprehend those responsible, emphasizing that they would either turn themselves in or be captured by law enforcement.
National police chief Fannie Masemola stated that the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and it is unknown whether one or multiple suspects are involved.
South Africa, home to 62 million people, has seen alarming crime rates, with over 12,700 homicides reported in just the first half of the year, averaging more than 70 murders daily.
Gun violence is a significant contributor to these statistics.
While firearm regulations are in place, the proliferation of illegal and unregistered weapons poses a major challenge to public safety.
This recent shooting reflects a disturbing trend of mass violence in the country, including a previous incident in KwaZulu-Natal in April 2023, where ten family members were killed in a similar fashion.