South African police have arrested three suspects in connection with the brutal massacre of 18 relatives in the remote town of Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, last week.
The arrests were made following an intensive manhunt, according to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
Mchunu announced the arrests during a memorial service for the victims on Sunday, adding that a fourth suspect is expected to be apprehended soon.
The massacre shocked the nation after gunmen stormed two homes, killing 15 women and 3 men, many of whom were shot in the head. The victims ranged in age from 14 to 64, according to Dispatch Live.
Mchunu stated that police are still working to “piece together” the circumstances behind the attack, adding that the family had gathered for a traditional ceremony when the gunmen opened fire.
He said the three suspects are set to appear in court on Monday to face charges related to the massacre.
This horrific incident has reignited calls for stronger police protection in South Africa, a country that already struggles with one of the highest murder rates in the world.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, more than 27,000 murders were recorded in the country in 2022, equating to 45 murders per 100,000 people—significantly higher than the U.S. rate of six per 100,000.
The massacre has also led to renewed demands to address gender-based violence, with South Africa having one of the highest femicide rates globally.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Mmapaseka Letsike, attended the memorial and called on civil society, traditional leaders, and the government to “raise the bar” in the fight to end gender-based violence.
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