NGOBOZANA, SOUTH AFRICA – Authorities in South Africa have launched a manhunt after a deadly mass shooting left 17 people dead on the same street in a village. The attack took place early Saturday in Ngobozana village, located in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape province.
Two residences were struck, resulting in a devastating number of casualties. Six survivors, including a two-month-old infant, managed to escape the carnage.
In the first home, four people were fatally shot without any survivors. In the second home, 13 people were killed out of the 19 people who were present at the residence. The deceased victims comprised of 15 women and two men.
Detectives and forensic teams have been sent to the scene to gather evidence and accelerate the arrest of the suspects. A strategic effort is underway to ensure swift justice for this heinous crime.
The tragedy underscores South Africa’s struggle with its high incidence of mass shootings and violent crime. The murder rate in the country stands among the highest globally, having recently reached a 20-year peak.
Statistics from the latest police reports highlight the severity of the situation: over 6,000 murders were recorded between April and June of this year. Despite an intensive crackdown leading to the arrest of more than 53,000 suspects linked to violent crimes and the confiscation of over 400 illegal firearms, such violence remains rampant.