By Anita Dangazele
The Eastern Cape government will hold a mass memorial service on Sunday for the victims of the Lusikisiki family massacre.
The service will begin at 10am at the Lusikisiki Teachers’ Training College.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, along with other senior officials, including national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola, are expected to attend.
This comes after 18 people were tragically killed in two neighbouring homes in KwaNyathi village, Ngobozana.
Among the victims were 15 women, a 13-year-old boy, and two men, all shot by gunmen during the horrific attack.
The victims were at the homes of sisters Mary Sinqina and Nancy Sinqina-Mhatu, preparing for a traditional ritual.
Four people were killed at Nancy’s house, while 13 died at Mary’s.
Among the deceased were Mary Sinqina (63), her son Thobile (37), and niece Samantha Sinqina (26).
Nancy Sinqina-Mhatu (59), her daughters, and her grandson were also killed.
Other victims include Thobile’s girlfriend Mandisa Dlokweni, three sisters, Ruth King, Lungiswa Gawulekapa, and several others.
The group had gathered to commemorate the end of mourning for two family members who were killed in a shooting last year.
Khuselwa Rantjie, the spokesperson for the Eastern Cape provincial government, said while a mass memorial would take place, the victims would be buried in separate locations on different dates according to their families’ wishes.
She added that the government, along with local businesses, is providing resources such as coffins and groceries to assist the families, though their request for government-funded tombstones was not granted.
Pictured above: Police officials and forensic experts gather evidence at the crime scene where 18 people shot and killed last Saturday in Lusikisiki.
Source: X
