Eight people were brutally murdered on Sunday evening while celebrating a birthday party in Kwazakhele township in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. 

THE SHOOTING 

SAPS spokesperson Priscilla Naidu explained that a man and his 10 friends were gathered for a birthday party at his house when out of the blue two unknown gunmen pounced on them and started shooting. "Three females and four males were fatally injured while two females and two males sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital. One victim succumbed to injuries in hospital," Naidu said."

SUSPECTS WANTED

 Naidu said police have launched a man hunt for the suspects and no arrests have been made. "Cases of murder and attempted murder have been opened, and police are yet to identify the victims. A team of investigators to track and trace the perpetrators." 

NO RESPECT FOR LIFE

Eastern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene said the incident is a disregard for human life.

"These victims were killed by criminals, and we will not rest until we find out what happened and who was responsible for this callous and cold-blooded attack on these unsuspecting victims." Mene urged the community to come forward with information and not to harbour the criminals. Anyone who can assist in identifying the victims or tracing their next of kin or has information relating to the suspects is asked to contact provincial organised crime investigations detective Captain Sitole on 082 457 2812 or Crime Stop on 086 00 10111." 

Police Minister Bheki Cele and national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola are on Monday expected to visit the scene where the mass shooting happened.