South African police have arrested three suspects in connection with the brutal killing of 18 family members in the small town of Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, following an intense manhunt.
The arrests were confirmed by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu during a memorial service for the victims on Sunday.
The massacre, which took place last week, shocked the nation. Gunmen stormed two homes where the family had gathered for a traditional ceremony, opening fire and killing 15 women and three men. Many of the victims, aged between 14 and 64 years, were shot in the head.
Speaking at the memorial service, Mchunu said, “We have arrested three people so far, and we expect to make an announcement about a fourth suspect soon.” He also mentioned that the motive for the killings is still unclear as police continue to investigate and piece together what led to the tragic event.
The three suspects are scheduled to appear in court on Monday to face charges related to the killings.
This horrifying attack has drawn attention to South Africa’s high murder rate, one of the highest in the world. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, over 27,000 murders were recorded in 2022, which amounts to 45 murders per 100,000 people.
The incident has also sparked calls for more police protection and efforts to end gender-based violence. At the memorial, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Mmapaseka Letsike, urged civil society, traditional leaders, and the government to “raise the bar” in tackling the country’s alarming levels of gender-based violence, which remain a significant concern.
