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‘Their silence is talking to us’ – police minister vows to bring Lusikisiki mass murderers to justice

‘Their silence is talking to us’ – police minister vows to bring Lusikisiki mass murderers to justice
Family spokesperson Nkosinathi Mhatu describes the scene they walked into on the morning after the Lusikisiki mass shooting at Nancy Sinqina-Mhatu’s home. (Photo: Chumani Mazwi)
Estelle Ellis and Chumani Mazwe
By Estelle Ellis and Chumani Mazwe
3 Oct 2024
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An emotional Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, has vowed to bring the killers of 18 members of an extended Lusikiski family to justice. The remaining family members have described the scenes of horror after their sleeping relatives were gunned down.

‘We may not have seen how they looked at the murderers in those last seconds. We may not have heard the voices of these people when they were crying because we were far.

“We may not have shared their fears because we were not there. But now we can hear their silence. We can hear their silence. It is talking to us. We can feel their pain and anger, and we share that with the families,” Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said this week as he spoke to members of the Lusikisiki community in Eastern Cape.

lusikisiki massacre senzo mchunu Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)



He was speaking following a horrific massacre in two houses in Ngobozana village where 17 people were killed on Saturday, 28 September 2024, and an 18th victim later died in hospital.

Mchunu said the police knew exactly who they were looking for. So far, one person has been brought in for questioning although police have not provided any further details on the case or possible motive.

“I am saying to the families: Find solace in that those who caused this – they are not human. Your relatives were not killed by human beings. They are not meant to be around,” Mchunu added.

Read more: ‘Everyone was home for ceremony’ – 18th victim dies in Lusikisiki mass shooting

A reeling family


The gunmen almost wiped out an entire extended family when they attacked the homes of two siblings who were living next to each other in Ngobozana.

The family had gathered to prepare for Umombolo, a traditional ceremony signalling the end of a mourning period. They had been mourning their grandmother and sister, who were both gunned down last year.

lusikisiki mass murders Family spokesperson Nkosinathi Mhatu (centre) with neighbours outside the house where the shooting took place in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape. (Photo: Chumani Mazwi)



Family spokesperson Nkosinathi Mhatu said on Thursday that he was devastated to see his late brother’s family being wiped out.

“It is a very painful and devastating experience, having to lose almost all members of the family this way. And it also saddens me that the whole homestead will have to be closed because there is nobody there anymore.”

He said they were also struggling to recover some of the documents and photographs of the victims to prepare for the funeral and memorial service.

“We can’t even find all the necessary documents for some of the victims because all the people that lived here are no more. We also do not have all the photos at the moment because their phones are with the police,” he said.

Mhatu described the horror that greeted them when they were called to the house. He said the attackers broke a window to open the door. They came late at night so everybody was sleeping. Five bodies were found in one room and bodies were all over the passage.

mass murders The family home where 17 people were brutally murdered (the 18th victim later died in hospital). Outside, neighbours came to pay their respects. Inside, there were bloodstained walls pockmarked with bullet holes. (Photo: Chumani Mazwi)



bullet hole A bullet hole in a room where victims’ lifeless bodies were found. (Photo: Chumani Mazwi)



police minister mass murders Family spokesperson Nkosinathi Mhatu describes the scene they walked into on the morning after the Lusikisiki mass shooting at Nancy Sinqina-Mhatu’s home. (Photo: Chumani Mazwi)



Mchunu confirmed the cruelty of the attack.

“These criminal or criminals counted one by one up to 17. They used various weapons. They were patient enought to make sure all 17 were finished off on the scene.”

‘We apologise’


“Now we can talk and talk, but the main thing is that from amongst ourselves we keep people and call them people when they are not people. We can talk about the Republic of South Africa and about laws and government, but the reality of the matter is that these people come from amongst ourselves, which is the bottom line,” said the police minister.

“We have seen the families that are affected. I have seen all of them. They have shared their grief and their pain, actually also spoke their mind after this incident. We accept their views and their criticism.

“We understand the situation. I want to say we are very sorry. We are sorry that at the hour when [these] people needed us we were not there and couldn’t be there to protect them,” Mchunu said.

“We understand when people say they need better policing. But in certain circumstances, it becomes difficult to be there. We are saying to those left behind: We are so sorry. We apologise,” he added.

“They didn’t expect it. They were defenceless.”

Mchunu urged the community to report illegal guns.

A neighbour and community headman Sibongiseni Malulwana said the community would not feel safe until the perpetrators had been brought to book.

“We don’t feel safe to be here (at the homestead) because the killers are still out there, we don’t know why they did this and if they will not come back again.”

The victims


Fifteen women and three men died in the attack. Their names are:

Thobile Sinqina (37), ⁠Nonkanyiso Dukuza (19), Ruth King (21), ⁠Mandisa Dlokweni (59), ⁠Samantha Sinqina (26), ⁠Lungiswa Gawulekana (51), ⁠Thandeka Mhlaluvele (46), Mary Sinqina (63), Nombuliso Dukuza (32), Mathembisile Mayekiso-Sinqina (64), ⁠Nobelungu France (59), Themi Vimba (41). Nomazwi Ndleleni (59), Smomoza Sinqina (14), ⁠Nancy Sinqina (59), ⁠Dimpho Sinqina (30), Thali King Sinqina (26) and Sigobodo Gxobela (59).

Mchunu said teams had been brought in from Pretoria to investigate the massacre.

Mhatu said four victims would be buried on 12 October. The government is organising a mass memorial service at the Lusikisiki College.

Prince Chulumango Sigcau from the AmaFaku Royal Family said in a statement that the massacre was barbaric. His Royal Majesty Acting King Daluxolo Sigcau had approached Avbob to assist with the funerals of the deceased and this had been agreed upon.

The Royal House also expressed its appreciation towards Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane for his assistance in ensuring a dignified funeral of those who died. DM

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