Eastern Cape police have made a major breakthrough in the Lusikisiki mass shooting case after arresting all four wanted suspects within 24 hours of issuing an all-points bulletin.
Story Summary:
- Eastern Cape police arrested four wanted suspects in the Lusikisiki mass shooting manhunt within 24 hours.
- Community tip-offs played a significant role in the successful arrests.
- Siphosoxolo Myekethe, charged with murdering 18 people, has abandoned his bail application.
Lusikisiki mass shooting latest updates: Four wanted suspects arrested
This rapid action comes as a result of a widespread manhunt, and police credit the arrests to community tip-offs and media involvement.
The four suspects—Songezo ‘Mashiya’ Vuma (20), Bonga ‘Rico’ Hintsa (31), Aphiwe ‘AP’ Ndende (25), and Lwando Anthony ‘Abi’ Shakes (31)—are expected to assist in further police investigations regarding the horrific massacre that claimed the lives of 17 people at two homesteads in Ngobozana village near Lusikisiki.
SAPS National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, expressed gratitude for the public’s support in providing critical information that led to the suspects’ capture.
Siphosoxolo Myekethe abandons bail
Meanwhile, Siphosoxolo Myekethe, the 45-year-old man charged with orchestrating the deadly attack in Lusikisiki, appeared in court on Tuesday.
He abandoned his bail application, with the prosecution already indicating it would oppose any application for his release.
Myekethe, who was out on parole for a prior murder conviction when the mass shooting occurred, faces charges for the brutal slaying of 18 people during the attack.
His criminal record includes convictions for escaping custody and murder, further compounding the seriousness of the case.
The court has postponed the matter to 26 November 2024 for further investigation.
The Lusikisiki mass shooting sent shockwaves across the nation after gunmen stormed two neighbouring homesteads on the night of Friday, 27 September 2024.
The attackers killed 12 women and one man at one home, while three women and one man were killed at the second location.
A two-month-old baby miraculously survived the bloodshed.
The community remains deeply shaken, as the gathering was intended to honour deceased family members through a traditional ceremony.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to bring justice to the victims of this senseless attack.