A manhunt has been launched in South Africa after 17 people, including 15 women, were killed in a mass shooting in a rural town in the Eastern Cape province. The shooting took place on Friday night in the town of Lusikisiki, where two houses in the same neighborhood were targeted. Twelve women and a man were killed in one house, while three women and a man were killed in the other. Four women, one man, and a two-month-old baby survived the attack.
The motive for the killing remains unknown, but authorities are actively searching for the suspects. Police minister Senzo Mchunu has expressed confidence in the team deployed to investigate the case and apprehend the perpetrators. The national police chief, Fannie Masemola, stated that the motive for the attack is unclear, and it is unknown if there is one or multiple suspects on the run.
South Africa has seen a rise in mass shootings in recent years, with firearms being the leading cause of death in homicide cases. The country recorded 12,734 homicides in the first six months of this year, averaging more than 70 a day. Despite strict firearm laws, the presence of illegal, unregistered guns remains a significant challenge for authorities. In April 2023, a similar mass shooting incident occurred in KwaZulu-Natal province, where 10 family members were killed in their home.
The search for the suspects in the Lusikisiki shooting continues, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
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