Mass shooting in South Africa kills 17, investigation ongoing

A mass shooting in a rural village in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa left 17 people dead. Following the incident, South African police have launched an investigation into the matter.

According to police, two separate farms were attacked in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape. The mass shooting killed 12 women and a man at one location and three women and a man at a second location.

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

It is planned that police ministers and the commissioner will hold a national briefing.

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

According to local media, the group was gathering outside homes to prepare to take part in a traditional mourning ceremony when they were attacked on Friday evening.

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

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

(With contributions from agencies)