Seventeen people died in a mass shooting in a rural village in Eastern Cape province in South Africa. Following the incident, the South African police has launched an investigation into the matter.
According to the police, two separate homesteads in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape were targeted. The mass shooting led to the killing of 12 women and one man in one location, and three women and one man at a second location.
Meanwhile, the 18th victim is in a critical condition in hospital, South Africa Police Service said.
The police ministers and commissioner are scheduled to give a national briefing.
The South African media has reported that the victims were relatives and neighbours in Nyathi village, Ngobozana in Lusikisiki.
According to the local media, the group was gathered at the houses to prepare to attend a traditional mourning ceremony when they were attacked on Friday night.
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“The gunmen came and shot randomly killing everyone. Women and children were also killed in the bloody shooting,” News outlet Dispatch Live cited local Ingquza Hil mayor Nonkosi Pepping as saying.
“This has left the community terrified,” Pepping added.
(With inputs from agencies)
WION
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