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Independent AfricaSouth Africa birthday party shooting: Eight killed in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape

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South Africa birthday party shooting: Eight killed in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape

A mass shooting at a birthday party has resulted in eight deaths and three injuries in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa’s Gqeberha city.

At a house party in Kwazakhele township, police claim that two unidentified gunmen “randomly shot at guests” who were dancing and mingling.

One of the victims was Vusumzi Sishuba, who would have turned 51 today.

Police have urged the public to share any information about the shooting despite the fact that no one has been arrested.

Mr Sishuba’s family is “in a state of shock and disbelief,” a relative told Reuters news agency.

Five men and three women, aged 20-64, have been identified as victims of Sunday night’s shooting.

“These victims were killed by criminals, and we will not rest until we find out what happened and who was responsible for [this] callous and cold-blooded attack on these unsuspecting victims,” said Eastern Cape Police Commissioner Nomthetheleli Lillian Mene.

The motive behind the attack is unknown.

Police Minister Bheki Cele visited the scene of the shooting on Monday and asked for patience while the investigation continued.

“We know everybody is angry and would love that we respond quickly, but we request a little bit of space so that we do the work thoroughly,” he told reporters in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth.

South Africa has one of the highest gun crime rates in the world but random mass shootings are uncommon.

Last year, the country saw a string of shootings in separate bars which left more than 20 people dead. Those shootings are still under investigation.

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