Manhunt launched for Bityi killers in Eastern Cape

Manhunt launched by Eastern Cape police for the suspects involved in the brutal murder of five people on Friday night near Bityi, outside Mthatha.

The Eastern Cape’s Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, mobilized a specialized team of detectives to lead the investigation, instructing them to work relentlessly until those responsible for the killings are brought to justice.

The horrifying incident occurred at Ncenjana Location, Mthentu Administrative area, at around 8:30 p.m., when two unknown gunmen stormed a family’s home and opened fire. Among the five victims were a husband and wife, who were shot while sleeping in their rondavel, along with three others–a man and two women–who were in a separate house on the property.

Lieutenant General Mene expressed her outrage at the barbaric nature of the crime, offering her condolences to the families of the victims. She condemned the killings as senseless and carried out by ruthless criminals.

In a statement issued on Saturday morning, Mene said, “I have instructed a team of seasoned detectives to hit the ground running and to work tirelessly until the culprits responsible for this senseless killing are brought to justice.”

Mene’s deployment of top investigators reflects the gravity of the situation and the urgency to bring closure to the grieving families. The Eastern Cape has seen a rise in violent crimes in recent months, with several incidents involving multiple fatalities, leaving communities in fear.

This latest tragedy further underscores the need for law enforcement to strengthen efforts in combating organized crime and gun violence in the province.

Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, confirmed that police are investigating five counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Mawisa called on members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist the investigation.

“The SAPS is calling upon those who may have leads to come forward and assist the police in apprehending those behind the murders,” she said.

Details of the attack paint a chilling picture of the events that unfolded that night. The gunmen first targeted the husband and wife in the rondavel, before moving to the other house on the property, where they shot and killed three more people.

According to police reports, two children were also injured during the shooting and have been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The surviving children, who managed to escape the scene, alerted neighbors, who then contacted the police.

“The attackers flounced out of the rondavel and started firing shots at the people sleeping in another house, fatally shooting three and leaving two injured,” said Mawisa. She added that the swift action of the surviving children in seeking help played a crucial role in bringing authorities to the scene as quickly as possible.

The Eastern Cape police have appealed to anyone with information about the suspects or the circumstances surrounding the shooting to come forward.

As the investigation continues, authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to solve the case. The deployment of experienced detectives signals the police’s commitment to bringing justice for the victims and ensuring the safety of the local community.

The impact of this devastating crime has sent shockwaves through the close-knit community of Bityi. Families and neighbors are grappling with the loss of their loved ones, while many are left feeling vulnerable in the wake of the violence. This incident adds to the growing list of similar attacks in rural Eastern Cape areas, where law enforcement struggles to curb the surge in violent crime.

As the investigation progresses, Lieutenant General Mene and her team are hopeful that the culprits will soon be apprehended. In the meantime, the community waits anxiously for justice to be served for the family whose lives were so violently taken.

The police’s commitment to finding the killers and bringing them to justice offers some hope to a region still reeling from the shock of this tragic event.

-IOL

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