By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gqeberha police have launched a manhunt for the two gunmen who killed eight people in a mass shooting in Kwazakhele in the Eastern Cape.
Seven people were initially killed and another four wounded after two gunmen entered a house on Sunday afternoon where a man was celebrating his birthday.
One of the wounded people later succumbed to their injuries in hospital.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said the deadly shooting occurred at a house in Maqanda Street on Sunday afternoon.
She said the owner of a house was celebrating his birthday when two men arrived at around 17.15 and began shooting at the guests in the yard.
“Eight people, three females and five males were fatally wounded, while another three sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to a hospital for treatment,” Naidu said.
“The owner of the house was among the deceased.”
She said the names of the victims have not yet been released.
“We have launched a manhunt for the suspects and an investigation into the circumstances of the shooting are under investigation,” Naidu said.
Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene, has strongly condemned the killing of the eight people and the injury of the other three people.
Lt Gen Mene has condemned the killings as cowardice and a blatant disregard for human life and has ordered the team of investigators to track and trace the perpetrators in the quickest time possible.
She also appealed to the community to come forward with any information and not to harbour the criminals.
“These victims were killed by criminals and we will not rest until we find out what happened and who was responsible for these callous and cold blooded attack on these unsuspecting victims,” she said.
Anyone who can assist in identifying the victims or tracing their next of kin or with any information relating to the suspects is asked to contact the Provincial OCI, D/Capt Sitole on 082 457 2812 or Crime Stop on 086 00 10111.
Police Minister, General Bheki Cele and the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, will lead a delegation of various experts within the organisation to the crime scene of a mass shooting in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.