17 people, including 15 women, were killed in two mass shootings that took place in close proximity to each other in a rural town in South Africa, police said Saturday.
The shootings occurred during a family gathering, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
Police minister Senzo Mchunu during a media briefing said that a team of detectives and forensic experts had been deployed.
“We have full faith and confidence in the team that has been deployed to crack this case and find these criminals. Either they hand themselves over or we will fetch them ourselves,” Mchunu said.
South Africa, a country of 62 million, recorded 12,734 homicides in the first six months of this year, according to official crime statistics from the police. That’s an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the biggest cause of deaths in those cases.
Mass shootings have become increasingly common in recent years, sometimes targeting people in their homes.
South African national police are investigating the motive for the attack and are working with local authorities to bring those responsible to justice.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy,” said a police spokesperson, stressing that efforts are being made to restore safety in the area.
This shooting is one of the deadliest in recent South African history and has sparked national outrage over the escalating violence