A suspect linked to the tragic Lusikisiki mass shooting that left 18 people dead in Ngobozana Village is set to appear in the Lusikisiki Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Story Summary:
- One suspect arrested in connection with Lusikisiki mass shooting appears in court.
- The suspect’s role and whether he is cooperating with the investigation remain unclear.
- Police continue their efforts to bring more perpetrators to justice.
Lusikisiki mass shooting suspect in court
The suspect was apprehended on Monday night and is the fourth individual to be formally charged following the mass shooting, which claimed the lives of 15 women and three men.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday, 28 September 2024 while victims were preparing for a traditional ceremony in the Eastern Cape’s Ngobozana Village.
Among the dead was a 14-year-old boy.
While the suspect is expected to make his initial court appearance today, details regarding his involvement remain scarce.
Police have yet to confirm if he is cooperating with investigators.
The case is likely to be stood down to a later date as authorities gather further evidence and work to solve what is being described as a complex and brutal attack.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphoknazi Mawisa said in a statement:
“The investigation remains ongoing as we continue to make strides in bringing all those involved in this tragic incident to justice.”
Arrest follows earlier progress in the investigation
This latest development comes on the back of significant progress made by the police.
Just this past weekend, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu confirmed that three suspects had been arrested and appeared in court on Monday, 7 October 2024.
Mchunu expressed optimism that further arrests were imminent, stating:
“We are not too far from arresting the fourth person linked to the mass murders in Lusikisiki.”
The police minister emphasised that they would continue to leave no stone unturned until all suspects responsible for the killings were brought to justice.
As the legal process unfolds, the families of the victims prepare to lay their loved ones to rest. Private funerals are expected to take place over the weekend, with authorities continuing to support the grieving community.