By Amy Musgrave
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has reiterated that the recent mass shootings in the Eastern Cape are organised hits, saying that in the case of the Lusikisiki murders where 18 people were gunned down. the suspects have committed murder before.
“Where from whatever quarter, whether by a larger group or a smaller group, we are applying our minds. But what we cannot doubt is that they were organised,” he said on Sunday.
“We are going to be steady about this, collect all this data we need and study them so that we strengthen our system in SAPS to deepen our system in terms of strategy, overall comprehensive and effective strategies to anti-organised criminals in whatever crime.”
The minister was being interviewed on eNCA.
On Friday, five family members were killed while sleeping in Bityi outside Mthatha. This followed the assassination of six community policing forum members in Qumbu earlier in the month.
Earlier this week, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola suggested a potential connection between the Lusikisiki mass shooting and Qumbu murders.
However, he said details would come out in court.
Mchunu also said that his ministry was looking at investing more on testing for ballistics and DNA as both were critical in solving cases.
“We also need to put in technology that traces state resources. We need to be able to trace and collect all firearms used by criminals,” he said.
Police have launched a manhunt following the latest shooting.
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