Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has labelled the perpetrators of the Lusikisiki massacre as “animals” while announcing an ongoing investigation into the tragic deaths of 18 individuals.
Mchunu and National Commissioner of SAPS General Fannie Masemola announced that there was one person of interest who was currently being questioned in connection with the massacre of 18 victims at Ngobozana village in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape.
The shocking incidents took place at two homesteads as family members were preparing for traditional ceremonies to commemorate those who were murdered at the same time last year.
Mchunu and Masemola emphasised that the person had not been arrested but was being questioned.
Briefing the media while visiting the area on Tuesday, they said after thorough questioning, detectives would determine if there were grounds to make an arrest.
They both confirmed that as investigations still unfolded, police knew who they were looking for and were confident that arrests were imminent.
“The long arm of the law has arrived, and there’s going to be results very soon.
“What we are saying to the families and those who have gone, find solace in that those who caused this, they are not human beings, your relatives were not killed by human beings but animals that we do not know their names.
“They were not meant to be born or called human beings. All those people who were murdered are innocent, they never quarrelled with anyone to deserve what happened to them including the young people,” said Mchunu.
"We are told about other incidents, though not of this magnitude.“
Masemola said the SAPS management put up a team consisting of national and provincial expertise to investigate and they worked through the scene.
“The team of experts are investigating this horrific and barbaric senseless killing of 18 people. At this stage, we know who we are looking for, we do have one person of interest for questioning. He is not under arrest. We will update the nation as investigations continue,” said Masemola.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has announced that the provincial government would assist families with burial arrangements and psychosocial services.
“Bodies are being moved to relevant palours. Families have been fully briefed, we have established a small committee with them. All spheres of government are working together to mitigate the disastrous effect of this. We don’t want to see families suffering more,” said Mabuyane.
He said the criminals have declared war.
“This is war! So many deaths at the same time only happen at war. We can’t fold our arms, we will reciprocate. When thugs point firearms at police, we don’t expect them to run like headless chickens, our people depend on them. Law and order needs to be restored,” he said.
Police urged community members with information to come forward and also report those who have illegal firearms.
Some relatives said they fear returning to the area, with one of them, during an interview with one of the TV stations, saying they wanted the government to demolish the homes,
On Monday, names of the victims were released; they are: Thobile Sinqina, 37, male, Nonkanyiso Dukuza, 19, female, Ruth King, 21, female, Mandisa Dlokweni, 59, female, Samantha Sinqina, 26, female, Lungiswa Gawulekana, 51, female, Thandeka Mhlaluvele, 46, female, Mary Sinqina, 63, female, Nombuliso Dukuza, 32, female, Mathembisile Mayekiso/Sinqina, 64, female, Nobelungu France, 59, female, Themi Vimba, 41, female, Nomazwi Ndleleni, 59, female, Smomoza Sinqina, 14, male, Nancy Sinqina, 59, female, Dimpho Sinqina, 30, female, Thali King Sinqina, 26, female; and Sigobodo Gxobela, 59, male.
The Star