A manhunt has been launched in South Africa after a mass shooting occurred in the town of Lusikisiki in Eastern Cape province, resulting in the deaths of seventeen people, including 15 women. The shooting took place in two houses in close proximity to each other in a rural town where mass shootings have recently become common. The motives for the killings remain unknown, but local media reported that the people were attending a family gathering at the time of the shooting.
Police minister Senzo Mchunu stated during a media briefing that a team of detectives and forensic experts had been deployed to investigate the case, with the aim of finding and apprehending the suspects responsible for the mass shooting. The national police chief, Fannie Masemola, stated on SABC public television that the motive for the attack is unknown, and it is unclear whether there is one or several suspects on the run. The police have expressed confidence in their ability to crack the case and bring the criminals to justice.
South Africa, a country with a population of 62 million, has recorded 12,734 homicides in the first six months of the year, according to official crime statistics from the police. This averages out to more than 70 homicides per day, with firearms being the primary cause of death in the majority of cases. Mass shootings have also been on the rise in recent years, with a similar incident occurring in a neighboring province in which ten members of the same family were killed in their home.
Firearm laws in South Africa are relatively strict, but the country still struggles with a large number of illegal and unregistered guns in circulation, posing a significant challenge for authorities in combating gun violence. The incident in Lusikisiki highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence and mass shootings in the country, with the police launching a manhunt to track down the suspects responsible for the senseless act. The community remains in shock and mourning over the loss of life in this tragic event, with the investigation ongoing to piece together the circumstances surrounding the mass shooting.
