Man accused of Lusikisiki massacre not a first-time offender, says EC govt
On Wednesday, a 45-year-old man accused of shooting and killing 18 people in Ngobozana Village, Lusikisiki, made his first court appearance in the local magistrates court.
One of two homes in Ngobozana village, Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape where a mass shooting took place on Friday, 27 September 2024, claiming at least 17 lives. Picture: Supplied/Eastern Cape SAPS
LUSIKISIKI - The Eastern Cape government says it's concerning that the man accused of the Lusikisiki massacre is not a first-time offender.
On Wednesday, a 45-year-old man accused of shooting and killing 18 people in Ngobozana Village, Lusikisiki, made his first court appearance in the local magistrates court.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) later revealed that the accused is out on parole.
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The province's Health MEC, Ntandokazi Capa, represented the provincial government at the burial of one of the victims on Friday.
"Remember, our role is to deter, make sure that people do not commit crime, and that is why we take them to a correctional service facility so that they are rehabilitated. But they get there and pretend as if they are rehabilitated, and then they are released, only to find out that they will commit the same crime."
Capa said there may be a need to reassess the laws regarding this.
"I do believe it is something that, as government, we must look into in terms of amending the law if we need to, but we also encourage our communities because when we are going to release these people, families are consulted about those who will get parole."