The families of the 18 victims of the Lusikisiki shooting have gathered for the mass memorial service in the Eastern Cape ahead of their private burials. 

Three arrests have been made in connection with the killing of 18 people so far.

IT'S NOT SAFE

Speaking at the memorial, Mayor Malusi Ngqondwana said he lives 60km from where the mass murder occurred and that he generally doesn't feel safe.

"There's a degree of worry about the levels of crime that have shown up in the entire district of OR Tambo and more particularly the arrogance demonstrated by criminals across the province. However, with the interventions that the government has been making there's a bit of ease but we are not where we need to be in terms of safety."

He added that the criminals have become comfortable killing the innocent which is why he has asked for law enforcement to be hard handed.

"We need a clear message to say whoever took the lives of those people will not go unpunished. Therefore, I concur fully that they will be caught and brought to book."

INVESTIGATIONS 

Eastern Cape acting Community Safety HOD Zukile Kani said the person being questioned by the police has provided information on the Lusikisiki mass shooting. He added that other names provided to the police are also being traced. 

"The information given by the person of interest is being validated by the police to prove his reliability. There are people in the ground that are tracing the names that have been provided. We are hoping that as soon as possible we will receive a positive response in terms of arrest.?

He added, "The police station itself has been upgraded .it has been provided with a public policing mounted unit ,so the police station is capable of dealing with serious crimes.There were challenges with the station commander but he was removed and the new one has replaced him so interest has been taken by the department to ensure that the police station is capacitated."