No arrests for Lusikisiki massacre, but 3 men held for different murders being questioned, say police

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed on Monday, 7 October 2024 that nobody had been arrested for the murder of 18 people in a village outside Lusikisiki.

However, three men had been arrested for a number of murders and charges relating to robberies and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. These men, Mathe explained, were being questioned about the massacre.

Late on Friday, 27 September, gunmen gained access to two houses in Ngobozana Village and murdered 17 residents. An 18th victim died later in hospital. The motive for the attack is not yet known. During one of his visits to Lusikisiki, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said the gunmen “took their time” and used different firearms to kill.

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Another person of interest, taken in for questioning last week, has been released.

On Sunday, at a government memorial service for the 18 victims, Mchunu told residents that men had been arrested, but said later that this had been for “specific cases that will be clarified in court”.

On Monday, the minister’s spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said Mchunu had meant there were “three individuals who have been arrested in connection with criminal activities within the area”.

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Lusikisiki residents, however, understood that three men had been arrested for the 18 murders and spent the entire day at court on Monday to see them.

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On Sunday night, family spokesperson Nkosinathi Mhatu said they were very pleased to learn that arrests had been made.

“When the police minister was here, he assured us that 90% of the investigation had been completed, and they had the names of the suspects. So, when we heard today that there are three people who are in police custody, we were very pleased.

“The healing process usually becomes very difficult when something like this happens without any arrests. I can say our hearts are much better and less devastated when he said they have people behind bars. And those people are expected to appear in court tomorrow. We are very interested to see who those people are.”

But their hopes were dashed on Monday.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the prosecution had not received any dockets relating to the massacre. DM