By Anita Dangazele
Eastern Cape police have launched a manhunt for eight gunmen who stormed into a school in Godini village, Qumbu, and shot 10 stock theft patrollers as they were preparing for their evening patrol on Sunday night.
According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli, the incident happened at 22:45 at Lugongozo Junior Secondary School in the Tina Falls area of Godini, Qumbu.
“A group of at least eight men, who were armed with rifles and handguns, opened fire on a group of community patrollers. Six people succumbed to their injuries, and four others were rushed to the nearest hospital.
“It is said that the patrollers were at a local school and were preparing for their evening patrol when they were attacked,” he said.
Nkohli said the unknown suspects are still at large, and the motive for the shooting is unknown.
Police reported that the six deceased victims were between the ages of 40 and 71, while the four survivors were aged between 23 and 57. All the victims are males.
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene said they have mobilised maximum resources to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
“We are concerned that those who are working and assisting the police are being targeted and attacked. We will do our best to ensure that those who were behind this mass shooting are apprehended.
“As the Service, we condemn this incident, and we also extend our condolences to the families of the deceased. We would also like to wish those who are injured a speedy recovery,” said Mene.
Eastern Cape Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha expressed his disappointment at the rising levels of violence in the province.
“I am utterly shocked by the increasing level of disdain and callous nature of criminality in the province. I wish to convey our condolences to the families of the deceased. I want to assure the people of this province that no criminality will break our resolve to defeat lawlessness,” said MEC Nqatha.
Meanwhile, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service(SAPS), General Fannie Masemola will this afternoon meet with the Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya , the Provincial Commissioner of EC, Lieutenant General Nomethetheleli Mene, and the multidisciplinary team deployed to investigate mass shootings in the province.
General Masemola will visit the crime scene on the latest shootings
This incident follows a mass shooting last week in Lusikisiki, which left 18 people dead. The victims were preparing for a traditional ritual called ukukhululwa kwezila to mark the end of mourning for two family members who were murdered last year.
Meanwhile, three persons of interest are expected to appear at the Lusikisiki Magistrates’ Court on Monday. Authorities are hoping that their appearance will shed light on the mass shooting.
Pictured above: A crime scene.
Source: X
