Siyabonga Sesant
You can see by the sheer brutality that those gunmen wanted people dead.
Those were the chilling words of Police Minister Bheki Cele when he visited the crime scene on Monday of yet another bloody mass murder – this time in Kwazakhele, Gqeberha.
Eight people were killed when at least two gunmen opened fire on the unsuspecting victims who celebrating a birthday party in Maqanda Street on Sunday evening.
The area was a hive of activity on Monday with dozens of residents flocking to the home where the bloody shooting took place.
Police said three people were in a critical condition in hospital.
Upon arrival, Minister Cele had a private conversation with some of the family inside the house.
Remnants of a fire, presumably for a braai, police tape and stained wood in the yard were some of the silent witnesses of the shooting and chaos that ensued.
Residents who asked not to be named told of “a lot of screaming” and people running in all directions as several shots went off.
Some family members were sobbing quietly as Minister Cele addressed them outside, promising swift action to catch the criminals.
He told the crowd outside that some of the family members are pleased with the work that’s already been done to trace the killers.
"Police have responded, they’ve been here and we are quite pleased that the families feel that up until this point the work is already underway," said Minister Cele.
“While it’s good to pass condolences, and to cry with the community and the families, the friends and all those who are close to the deceased, that is not our core work. Our core function is to find out who did it and put those people in the processes of the law.”
“Allow us to do the work. We know that everybody’s angry, but we do request some space so that by the time we respond there’s no speculation and no guess work. People are angry, they want those answers,” he added.
Seven of the eight deceased have been identified as Liyema Poro (20), 42-year-old Nandipha Koliti, Vusumzi Sishuba (51), his brother Andile Sishuba (52), 54-year-old Kholekile France, Nomatamsanqa Mandla (58) and 64-year-old Mbuyiseli Mboya.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the eighth deceased, an adult male, is yet to be identified.
Colonel Naidu said the investigation was ongoing and that the hunt for the suspects continued.
