- Manhunt underway after mass shooting killed 17 in South Africa
- 15 women were among the 17 dead
- The two shootings took place at two homes in the same neighbourhood where families had gathered
- The motive remains unclear, manhunt underway
Manhunt underway after mass shooting killed 17 in South Africa
A manhunt is currently underway following two tragic mass shootings in Lusikisiki, a rural town in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, that left 17 people dead, including 15 women. The incidents occurred Friday night in close proximity to one another.
According to police spokesperson Brig. Athlenda Mathe, the victims included 15 women and two men, with one additional person hospitalised in critical condition. The shootings took place at two homes in the same neighbourhood, where families had gathered for a social event. Twelve women and one man were killed at one residence, while three women and another man lost their lives at the second location. Remarkably, four women, one man, and a two-month-old baby survived the attacks.
The motive behind the killings remains unclear. South African Police Minister Senzo Mchunu announced that a team of detectives and forensic experts has been deployed to investigate the incidents.
‘Violent crimes alarmingly high in South Africa’
Violent crime rates remain alarmingly high in South Africa. In the first half of this year alone, the country recorded 12,734 homicides, averaging more than 70 murders per day. Firearms are the leading cause of death in these violent incidents.
Mass shootings have become more frequent in recent years, often targeting families in their own homes.
While South Africa has relatively strict firearm laws, authorities continue to grapple with the widespread circulation of illegal and unregistered guns, which exacerbates the problem of gun violence.