Lusikisiki mass shooting: Some of the victims were preparing cleansing ceremony for family members killed last year

LUSIKISIKI - The houses where the 18 people were killed in the Eastern Cape remain locked, with no occupants inside.

Members of the Sinqina, Mhatu and Ndleleni families were attacked by gunmen on Saturday.

Seventeen of the relatives died on the scene.

An 18th victim died in hospital.

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Police have confirmed that the attack was premeditated but a motive is yet to be determined.

An eerie silence has fallen on Nyathi village.

On Saturday, gunmen stormed the homes of the Mhatu, Sinqina and Ndleleni families and opened fire.

Both houses are now sealed shut.

At the second scene, chickens are frolicking unattended.

Relatives of one of the victims said that the group was preparing for a cleansing ceremony of family members killed last year.

David King's niece, Ruth King, was one of the victims.

"Last year, the sister of this home was shot, I think with her niece, and now they were actually going to go there to do the tradition of taking off the black clothes."

Eastern Cape police top brass visited the village on Sunday.

On Monday, some government officials are also expected at the crime scene.