Eastern Cape a hotspot for mass murders - police

CAPE TOWN - The South African Police Service (SAPS) says the Eastern Cape has occupied a top three spot in mass murders countrywide.

This comes after 17 people from two families were shot and killed in two separate incidents at Ngobozana village on Saturday.

Police said that over 38 people had been killed in groups of seven in the last two years in the province.

According to authorities, Gqeberha, Mthatha, and Willowvale have been identified as hotspots in murders in recent years.

READ: EC police following a lead in deadly Lusikisiki mass shooting

SAPS said that at least 25 arrests had been made in previous mass killings and the perpetrators were still behind bars.

"Our men and women in blue throughout the country are on the ground. We are working tirelessly to rid our country of criminal elements. Since the launch of Operation Shanela, we have been working together with key stakeholders in the fight against crime. We have seen the arrest of more than 860,000 suspects," said SAPS spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe.