As the manhunt continues for the suspects who shot and killed 18 people in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape’s AmaPhondo kingdom, police said they are confident of a breakthrough in their investigation.
Two homesteads in the same street were targeted in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Seventeen people were shot and killed in the incident while an 18th victim, who was in a critical condition, later died in hospital.
According to police, the victims were preparing for a traditional ritual to mark the end of mourning for a mother and daughter who were murdered a year ago.
IOL reported the names of the women victims as Nonkanyiso Dukuza, 19, Ruth King, 21, Mandisa Dlokweni, 59, Samantha Sinqina, 26, Lungiswa Gawulekana, 51, Thandeka Mhlaluvele, 46, Mary Sinqina, 63, Nombuliso Dukuza, 32, Mathembisile Mayekiso-Sinqina, 64, Nobelungu France, 59, Themi Vimba, 41, Nomazwi Ndleleni, 59, Nancy Sinqina, 59, Dimpho Sinqina, 30 and Thali King Sinqina, 26.
The three male victims were Thobile Sinqina, 37, Smomoza Sinqina, 14, and 59-year-old Sigobodo Gxobela.
Two people are receiving treatment in hospital.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the SAPS “remain confident of a breakthrough”.
President Cyril Ramaphosa extended his condolences to the families of the victims and assured them that the police “have mobilised maximum resources to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book”.
“I feel deeply for all the families and members of the broader community affected by this attack and on behalf of all of us as South Africans, I offer you our deepest sympathies. While we are united in our grief, we are also united in our outrage and condemnation of this excessive criminal assault which will not go unpunished.
“The SAPS has proven its effectiveness in dealing with random and organised crime and I am confident the Lusikisiki case will be added to the successes recorded recently by our police service.
“We will not allow criminals to prevail,” said Ramaphosa.
The presidency said a team of specialist detectives and forensic science experts has been deployed to the crime scene to assist with the investigation.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, along with the deputy ministers of police, Cassel Mathale and Polly Boshielo and national commissioner, General Fannie Masemola are expected to visit the families of the victims on Tuesday.
Cape Times