By Akani Nkuna
Following another mass shooting in the Eastern Cape, which has claimed the lives of six people, the government says there is a team of police specialists on the ground to investigate the killings.
Over a week ago, 17 family members were gunned down and another died in hospital in Lusikisiki.
The motive for the killings has not been established, but there is speculation that it is a family feud.
According to police, the latest shooting in Godini in Qumbu saw unidentified gunmen opening fire on a group of community patrollers on Sunday night. Six of the patrollers died on the scene and four were admitted to hospital.
Acting government spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa said on Monday that “this senseless act of violence is totally unacceptable in our country and the law enforcement agencies will ensure that perpetrators are brought to book”.
“It is through unity and collaboration that we can create safer communities and prevent future tragedies of this nature,” Mnukwa said in a statement.
The government has assured the public that teams of detective and forensic specialists are actively investigating the shooting, and the public’s assistance was crucial at this time.
“The public is urged to remain calm and not to take the law into their own hands following this incident,” said Mnukwa.
“Together, we must stand firm against the scourge of violence and criminality. No one should have to live in fear, and the government will continue to prioritise efforts to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans.”
The Democratic Alliance said that communities were plagued by a sense of abandonment, with an insufficient police presence and resources to tackle this crisis.
“This lack of funding severely hampers our ability to invest in necessary resources. The DA strongly believes that modern technology must play a central role in our fight against,” said DA community safety spokesperson Yusuf Cassim.
“These dedicated individuals, who were selflessly working to protect their communities, became the latest victims of the unrelenting violence that continues to plague the province.”
In another development, the public has been left in the dark over the court appearance of three people who were arrested over the weekend in connection with the Lusikisiki shootings.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu announced their arrests at memorial service for the victims and said the police were on the hunt for a fourth suspect, whose name they knew.
He reportedly said that they would appear in court on Monday.
However, the National Prosecuting Authority said on Monday that they were not on the court roll.
INSIDE POLITICS
