By Everson Luhanga
Five people have been shot and killed in another mass shooting in the Eastern Cape on Friday night. The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, has mobilised all available resources to find the assailants behind the killing of five people at Bityi on 18 October.
The incident happened at about 8.30pm at Ncenjana Location, Mthentu Administrative Area, outside Mthatha.
Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said the family was asleep in two different houses in the yard when the perpetrators came onto the premises.
“The parents (husband and wife) were sleeping in a rondavel when two unknown males entered and shot them dead.
“They then left the rondavel and started firing shots at the people who were sleeping in another house. Three people were killed, and two others survived with gunshot wounds,” said Colonel Mawisa. She said the two children who survived the attack managed to run away and informed the neighbours, who then alerted the police.
“Two males and three females died, while the two injured children were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment,” she said.
The police are investigating five counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Police are calling upon anyone with leads to come forward and assist them in apprehending those behind the murders.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner denounced this vicious act that claimed the lives of the family at Bityi. “I have instructed a team of seasoned detectives to hit the ground running and to work tirelessly until the culprits responsible for this senseless killing are brought to justice,” said Lt Gen Mene.
Lt Gen Mene sent heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of this barbaric crime at the hands of ruthless criminals, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured children.
This is not the first mass killing that has rocked the province, where ruthless criminals have targeted rural villagers.
On 28 September, a gang of suspected criminals opened fire at unsuspecting relatives, killing 18 people. The victims were all related. At the time of the murders, they were preparing for a traditional ritual called umembulo or ukukhululwa kwezila, which was scheduled for Saturday at MaNtlaneni village.
Since then, the country has seen several other mass shootings that have resulted in the loss of life.
On 13 October, seven people were shot dead and four others were injured during a lobola celebration in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg. The tragic incident occurred at a house where a family celebrated after lobola negotiations.
