A two-month-old baby survived a family massacre where seventeen people were shot dead at two different houses at a village in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape last night. It's alleged that the relatives had gathered to prepare for a traditional ceremony that was scheduled to take place today.

BABY URVIVE UNSCATHERED

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said seventeen family members were shot and killed in Ngobozana village in Lusikisiki. "In the first homestead, four people were shot and killed, and there were no survivors. In another house, there were 19 people sleeping in two different houses; 13 were shot and killed, and six were injured and were taken to the hospital, where they are in critical condition," Mathe said. She said in total, fifteen women and two men were killed, while six people, including the baby, survived. "We have six survivors. These include four women, and we have a man that is critically injured. There was also a two-month-old baby who survived uninjured. "We have taken precautionary measures by taking the baby to a local hospital for medical care," she told Newsroom Africa.

MANHUNT LAUNCHED FOR KILLERS

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said the National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, has mobilised maximum resources to ensure these killers are found. "The national commissioner has deployed a dedicated team of detectives and forensic experts, which include crime scene managers from Pretoria, to piece all evidence together in a bid to apprehend these brutal criminals. We have full faith and confidence in the team that has been deployed to crack this case and find these criminals," Mchunu said. Mchunu urged the police to continue to assert the authority of the state for the benefit of our communities. "Communities have no one to look up to for their safety, but the men and women in blue. We will leave no stone unturned in solving cases and hunting down perpetrators. We continue to urge communities to work closely with police in sharing information and providing tip-offs to ensure that collectively, we create safer communities," he added.

KILLINGS CONDEMNED

Provincial Transport and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha has condemned the incident. Nqatha called on community members to assist police with information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. "We urged communities to report criminal acts to the Crime Stop at 08600 10111," he said.