Cape Town – The AmaMpondo royal family has reportedly raised concerns over the increasing violence in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, following the massacre of 18 relatives over the weekend.
Assassinations in the area, particularly in Ngobozana village, have become disturbingly common, with brutal killings occurring inside homes.
“Entering and assassinating people in their homes is a very common thing, especially in this community of Ngobozana and other neighbouring parts,” EWN quoted the royal family as saying.
AmaMpondo royal family spokesperson, Prince Chulumanco Sigcau highlighted the frequent targeting of women in violent attacks involving guns and knives, the report said.
Meanwhile, Eastern Cape Transport and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha has urged the Lusikisiki community to provide any information that could help police apprehend suspects involved in the mass shooting.
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According to SABC News, Nqatha said that individuals can share tips anonymously.
“Lusikisiki is one of the crime spots in the province and it’s quite clear that a lot more still needs to be done so that people can feel safe in their area.
“They did tell us that they would hear sounds of gunfire happening which is indicative that there are insistences of illegal firearms that are in the community and hence we call on the community to come forward and provide that information to us because the criminal elements are not falling from the trees but from within households in the community. People have this information and that’s why we are saying they must say it confidentially to our hotline so that a follow-up is made,” the report quoted Nqatha as saying.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also sent condolences to the families and promised that the gunmen would be caught.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to justice, saying, “While we are united in our grief, we are also united in our outrage and condemnation of this excessive criminal assault which will not go unpunished.”
[Listen] President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the families of 18 people who lost their lives in a weekend mass shooting incident at Ngobozana village at Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape: https://t.co/0NjMmxVcqI pic.twitter.com/PXCZCKAodM
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 30, 2024
Ramaphosa encouraged community members to cooperate with police investigators, emphasising the importance of gathering information that could lead to the swift capture of the attackers.
“We will not allow criminals to prevail,” Ramaphosa concluded, reinforcing the government’s determination to combat violence and ensure the safety of all South Africans.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
