South African police have launched an intense manhunt following a mass shooting that left 17 people dead in the town of Lusikisiki, located in the Eastern Cape province.
The tragic incident occurred on Friday night, sparking nationwide outrage.
In a statement released on Saturday, the police revealed that 13 people—12 women and one man—were killed in a single house, while four others were shot dead in a separate location.
An 18th victim is in critical condition and currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
The motive for the killings remains unclear. “We do not know the motive,” said South Africa’s national police chief, Fannie Masemola, during an interview on public television SABC. He added, “We do not know if there is one or several suspects on the run.”
The incident has shocked the community of Lusikisiki, which is located about 200 kilometers (125 miles) southwest of Durban. Local residents are demanding justice, as authorities work to uncover the circumstances surrounding the horrific event.
This latest attack comes just weeks after another mass shooting in the east of the country. In mid-September, seven members of a family, including three children, were gunned down in KwaZulu-Natal. The killers in that case have yet to be apprehended.
As police intensify their efforts to catch those responsible for the Lusikisiki massacre, they have urged anyone with information to come forward to assist in the investigation.
