Community members suspect family feud behind Lusikisiki massacre

LUSIKISIKI - Some community members in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape suspect a family feud could be the reason behind the recent massacre.

Eighteen people were shot dead at the weekened.

It's been three days since the mass murder took place in Ngobozana village, and police are still trying to determine the motive.  

Most community members have chosen to remain silent on the matter, citing safety concerns.

However, some have told Eyewitness News that they suspect a family feud.

The Lusikisiki massacre is not the first deadly shooting incident linked to one of the three affected families.  

Just last year, two people were shot and killed at the Sinqina residence where five people were killed on Saturday.

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A community member living nearby, who cannot be named for her safety told Eyewitness News the recent killings could be connected to the previous one.  

“This is a family matter; this probably has roots that people don’t know. The fact that it happened during a family gathering. It’s someone within the family.”

Meanwhile, a religious leader - Bishop Mbuyiselo Mkhumla of the United Methodist Church - also caught wind that the massacre could be due to a rift among family members.

“Actually I’ve spoken to three family members trying to find out what has happened, they said they suspect that probably there is a quarrel within the family - now there is a revenge of some sort.”

The national South African Police Service management is due to meet the familie.