A search is currently ongoing for the perpetrators of a mass shooting that claimed the lives of 17 people in two neighboring homes in a rural village in South Africa, according to a statement by the police on Saturday, September 28.
The deadly assault took place in the early hours of Saturday in Ngobozana village, Lusikisiki, located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The police ministry reported that two separate homesteads were the focus of the shootings.
Four lives were taken in the first homestead, leaving no survivors. In the second homestead, composed of two houses within the same property, 13 out of the 19 occupants were killed. The victims comprised 15 women and two men.
Among the survivors are six individuals, one of which is a two-month-old baby. A survivor was in critical condition at a local hospital.
Police have dispatched a team of detectives and forensic experts to examine the crime scene and collect evidence. The police ministry confirmed that these experts were diligently working to compile all evidence to capture the ruthless criminals.
Although reports suggest that the victims were at a family gathering when the shooting occurred, the motivation behind the attack remains unclear.
This event adds to a growing record of mass shootings in South Africa, a country that has long struggled with violent crime. The murder rate in the country is currently the highest it has been in over two decades, making South Africa one of the nations with the highest murder rates globally.
Recent police data highlights the scale of the issue: more than 6,000 people were murdered nationwide between April and June of the current year. Over the first half of 2024, South Africa recorded 12,734 homicides, translating to an average of more than 70 deaths daily.
The prominent role of firearms in these statistics is evident, being the leading cause of death in homicide cases. Despite strict gun laws in South Africa, the vast number of unregistered and illegal firearms in the country contributes significantly to the crime problem, according to authorities.
In a bid to curb the rising violence, the police ministry announced that over 53,000 suspects wanted for violent crimes, including murder, were arrested in the past month. Additionally, during this period, over 400 illegal and unregistered firearms were confiscated.
Various strategies have been put into action by the government to combat crime and violence. Operation Shanela, a police initiative, has led to over 285,000 arrests since May of the previous year, while the newly established Border Management Authority has intercepted more than 100,000 illegal entries, enhancing border security.
Authorities have also prioritized tackling gender-based violence, formulating a National Strategic Plan with the involvement of civil society. The government has dedicated approximately $1.1 billion (21 billion rand) to the plan’s implementation.
However, the recent mass shooting in Ngobozana village highlights the ongoing struggles faced by law enforcement and communities across South Africa. As the investigation progresses, residents and officials are left to deal with the ramifications of this violent event and its wider implications for the nation’s public safety.
