By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
A mass funeral was held for the six victims who were shot dead on Sunday evening in Godini village, Qumbu, in the Eastern Cape.
On Sunday, 6 October 2024, at about 11pm, eight men, all members of the community policing forum, prepared for their night patrol at a local school in Tina Falls, Qumbu. They were confronted by a group of men who were armed with rifles and handguns, who opened fire on them.
Six people died on the scene and four others were seriously injured and admitted to hospital.
The names of those who died in the shooting are Amos Sombaba (71), Akhona Sotshongaye (40), David Marhole (52), Fezekile Mhlekwa (56), Mathanzima Thomsana (57) and David Vabaza (65).
The motive is unknown but it’s been speculated that the murders were linked to stock theft in the area.
Kumkani Mhlontlo Local Municipality mayor Mbulelo Jara said stock theft is rife in the municipality and has led to unnecessary loss of life.
“In the meantime there are police who are here but we had to plan beyond the funeral in terms of police visibility. We have talked to being assisted by the office of the premier, that police after the funeral will have to be visible.
Stock theft is rife in every corner of the municipality, that’s the reason why this community decided to patrol this area and it’s true that it is the stock theft that led to the massacre that has taken place here.”
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said, more help from the national government is needed to curb these heinous crimes.
“We are relieved that police are trying their level best, but so far it’s a post factor; we really need to have sort of a preventative measure. And clearly, we can only work to prevent these heinous crimes if we work with communities; we are able to identify but also strengthen our crime intelligence, as we have been crime intelligence. These crimes you can see are really organised crimes; it’s not something that happens spontaneously – people plan. We need to improve vigilance. Stock theft, like any criminal activity, needs community mobilisation. The community would always be on guard, will be alert, and will always be out there preventing such things.”
Meanwhile five people were gunned down in Bityi, outside Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape on Friday night.
Mabuyane was attending the funeral of four of the six Qumbu shooting victims when he was informed of the latest killing.
“Criminals are brazen, they really go all out to show their ugly head and they don’t care, you can’t have this continuous senseless killing. Police are trying, they are working very hard. We have seen progress in Lusikisiki and even here there is an arrest. Arresting the criminals are not helping us, even if they go to jail they come back after 20 years and continue.”