E Cloete

We welcome the breakthrough in the Lusikisiki and Qumbu mass murder cases in the Eastern Cape. So far six suspects have been arrested with regards to the Lusikisiki case that claimed the lives of 18 people, 15 women and three men. High-caliber firearms believed to have been used in the crime have been recovered. 

Meanwhile, just as the country mourned the Lusikisiki tragedy, news broke of yet another mass shooting where six people were killed, and four critically injured in Qumbu. The victims were members of a community policing forum preparing to do the patrol when they were ambushed. The third incident happened in Bityi, near Mthatha where two men entered and shot dead 5 family members while sleeping in two separate houses within the same yard. The two surviving children managed to escape and alert neighbours, who informed the police A 33 -year-old man was arrested in the case of Qumbu. We condemn the senseless act of violence with the contempt it deserves. We commend the collaboration of the community and the investigating team that led to the breakthrough in the Lusikisiki and Qumbu cases. The ANC conveys condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, wishing all injured victims a speedy recovery.