Police have launched a manhunt for unknown suspects who allegedly opened fire and fatally wounded five family relatives in the early hours of Monday. The incident happened on 6th March 2023 at about 01:00, at a homestead in Luphondo Locality, Thahla Administrative Area in Lusikisiki.

ALERTED BY COMMUNITY

Eastern Cape Police spokesperson  Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said that the cops were alerted of the shooting  by members of the community, who allegedly heard gunshots. "On arrival at the scene, they found five family relatives aged between 9 and 78 years old, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. They were declared dead on the scene. "Two children aged 1 and 8, escaped unharmed during the incident. The motive for the attack is unknown at this stage. The victims are from one family, and their identities are withheld until the formal identification process is concluded," he said. Kinana further said that police have registered five cases of murder for investigation.

ACTIVATION PLAN

The 72-hour activation plan has been ordered by the Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Zithulele Dladla for the immediate mobilization of all resources to ensure a speedy arrest of the suspects responsible for the mass shooting and killing of the family. Kinana further said that anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects is requested to please make contact with the nearest police station.