By Akani Nkuna
President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to bring those responsible for the mass shootings in Eastern Cape to book.
He said South Africans were outraged by the two shootings, which have claimed the lives of 24 people.
“However, it should also add to our resolve to stop criminals from terrorising communities in the mistaken belief that they’re untouchable,” the president said in a statement on Tuesday.
“They will be brought to justice alongside anyone who harbours such criminals and does not report information to the authorities.”
Ramaphosa said he was saddened by the latest killings, which claimed the lives of six community policing forum members in Qumbu on Sunday night.
“Our thoughts are with the families of these community members who died in the course of playing their part to keep their area safe.”
He said the government would continue to work with communities to ensure that their homes, neighbourhoods and public spaces were safe.
Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron said the attacks appeared to be designed to terrorise and deter community members from participating in crime prevention.
Cameron has urged the police to act swiftly in their investigations and ensure that the perpetrators faced the full might of the law.
“The barbaric killing of community members who were concerned about the safety of their community is symptomatic of the rising tide of intimidation, extortion and violence against law-abiding citizens,” he said.
Eastern Cape provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene said the police had “mobilised maximum resources, and we are concerned that those who are working [with] and assisting the police are being targeted and attacked”.
INSIDE POLITICS
