Lusikisiki residents lament ongoing gun violence, home invasions

LUSIKISIKI - Police say a manhunt for suspected criminals is underway following various complaints from residents of Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape.   

Some community members say gun violence and deadly home invasions are common in the area.  

Speaking after Sunday's memorial service for the 18 family members killed in the mass shooting, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said their teams were hard at work.  
  
"There are a number of boys or a group of men from around here who kill people, which in the past have been linked to cases - and some are local while some might not be local, but majority are from [here] so we are looking for them," said Masemola.

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• Lusikisiki community members say they still want answers from police on massacre
• Mchunu clarifies that 3 suspects arrested in Lusikisiki not specifically linked to massacre

At the same time, three suspects deemed persons of interest in the Lusikisiki mass killing are expected to make their first appearance in court on Monday.  

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said while they were nabbed for other cases, they cannot be isolated from the mass killing. 

"They have been arrested for specific cases that will be clarified in court in court, in terms of the charges," Mchunu said.

FAMILIES WANT CLOSURE

The families of the 18 slain victims of the Lusikisiki massacre said while they appreciated government’s efforts in helping them honour the memories of their loved ones, they still wanted closure.   
 
One of the relatives of the victims, David King, said the families were still shocked by this incident.  
  
"And it does not say we appreciate, we are appreciating what government has done, but we would like to find closure. We would like to know who is this that has done this and for what reason...," said King.