An attack on a village in the Eastern Cape left 17 people dead during the manhunt

Police say 17 people have been killed in a mass shooting in a remote South African town as a manhunt for the perpetrators is underway.

According to police, two farms in the Eastern Cape town of Lusikisiki were attacked. In one place twelve women and one man were killed, in a second place three women and one man were killed.

An 18th victim is in a critical condition in hospital, South African police said.

Police ministers and the police commissioner will hold a nationwide briefing at 1pm local time (12pm BST) on Saturday.

South African media reports that the victims were relatives and neighbors in Nyathi village in Ngobozana in Lusikisiki.

They said the group had gathered at homes to prepare to take part in a traditional mourning ceremony when they were attacked on Friday evening.

News agency Dispatch Live quoted Ingquza Hil local mayor Nonkosi Pepping as saying: “The gunmen came and fired indiscriminately, killing everyone. Women and children were also killed in the bloody shootout.”

“This has left the community in fear and terror.”