Mass shooting in South Africa kills 17
At least 17 people were killed in South Africa when gunmen attacked two-family homes, police said on Saturday, amid a surge in mass shootings across the country. The shootings took place in a township outside Lusikisiki, a rural town in Eastern Cape Province. Thirteen victims, most of them women, were killed in one house, while four others were shot dead at a nearby homestead. Another victim remains in critical condition at a hospital. According to local reports, the victims were believed to be relatives and neighbors who had gathered to prepare for a traditional ceremony.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for the attackers as the community grapples with the tragedy. Lwando Nonkonyana, a spokesperson for the local municipality, expressed shock, stating that this was an unprecedented event for the area. South Africa has long struggled with high levels of violent crime, and mass shootings have become more frequent in recent years. In January 2023, gunmen killed eight people at a birthday party in Gqeberha, and in April 2022, 10 people were murdered at a homestead outside Pietermaritzburg. Crime statistics released in August indicated a rise in murder rates across several provinces, largely driven by gun violence.
Peoplesmind