S.Africa: Killing of 6 Community Patrollers in Eastern Cape Condemned
South African Patrol Officers, Oct 8, 2024 Photo: Archives
October 8, 2024 Hour: 8:42 pm
This incident came on the heels of another mass shooting that occurred in the town of Lusikisiki in the same province late last month, where 18 people lost their lives.
On Tuesday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the killing of six community patrollers in the latest mass shooting incident in the Eastern Cape Province, saying the government will continue to work with communities to ensure their safety.
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According to a statement issued by the presidency, the patrollers were reportedly preparing for duty at their base at a local school near Qumbu in the Eastern Cape late Sunday night, when attackers struck with an assortment of firearms. Six patrollers lost their lives while four were injured.
This incident came on the heels of another mass shooting that occurred in the town of Lusikisiki in the same province late last month, where 18 people lost their lives.
In the statement, Ramaphosa offered his deep condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the survivors a speedy recovery.
“Our thoughts are with the families of these community members who died in the course of playing their part to keep their area safe. Following so soon after an equally tragic shooting at Lusikisiki, this new incident saddens and outrages us,” said Ramaphosa.
He expressed the resolve of the government to stop criminals from terrorizing communities and vowed to bring the attackers to justice.
“Government will continue to work with communities to ensure our homes, neighborhoods and public spaces are safe and that criminals know they will pay for their deeds,” added the president.
In a separate statement issued by the South African Police Service (SAPS), Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape Nomthetheleli Mene also strongly condemned the “senseless and brutal ambush” of community patrollers, saying a manhunt for the suspects has been launched.
“We have mobilized maximum resources, and 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,” Mene said.
According to the SAPS, the incident occurred around 10:45 p.m. local time on Sunday, with a group of at least eight men, armed with rifles and handguns, opening fire to the community patrollers.
The police revealed that the suspects are still at large and their motive for the shooting is unknown at this stage.
Autor: OSG
Fuente: DW-Africanews
