A dark cloud is lingering over the people of Eastern Cape as mass killings haunt the province. On Wednesday night at least 10 people from Thanseka and Qunu villages were murdered in separate incidents in the Bityi area. Police have reported that in the first incident three family members were shot at around 8pm and the seven just before midnight tall on Wednesday. This follows another mass killing on Sunday where eight people were shot dead.

CAUGHT OFF GUARD 

In the first incident, the unsuspecting family from Thanseka, a grandmother (62), her 44-year-old daughter and grandson(13) were shot dead. It is alleged that the elderly woman was with her grandson in the house when they were ambushed and shot at. After the suspects were done, they moved onto the second house where they found the gogo's daughter and also shot and killed her. Eastern Cape SAPS spokesman Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinanasaid the motive of these senseless killings were unknown. 

THE KILLING SPREES NEVER END

In a separate incident in Qunu, Nelson Mandela's village, seven people were murdered also on Wednesday night just before midnight. Brigadier Kinana alleged that gunmen entered a rondavel at the victims home and killed four men and three women, aged between 32 and 64-yearsold. He said all seven lost their lives and it is unknown who was behind the killing and why. He added that the investigation is at an early stage. "It has not yet been established whether the two incidents are linked,"Kinana said. 

STOCK THEFT RELATED?

Ward councillor Unathi Daniso told ZiMoja that some of the killings are related to stock theft but he will confirm he gets hold of the  families. Meanwhile on Sunday 8 people were killed execution style in Gqeberha at a birthday celebration. Details around that incident are still sketchy. 

POLICE NEEDS HELP

Police are on the hunt for the suspects in both incidents. Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects is urged to contact the Station Commander of SAPS Bityi, Lt Col Lindile Maqungwana on 079 696 0708. SAPS Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene expressed her shock at such heinous attacks on innocent people. "A task team has been set-up to track, trace and arrest the culprits involved in both incidents," added Lt Gen Mene.