Five people have been killed and two children were injured in yet another mass shooting in the Eastern Cape on Friday night.
The deceased are all part of the same family and had been asleep when two unknown gunmen pounced at their home and opened fire.
Provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa has confirmed that five people were killed at Bityi at the Ncenjana Location, Mthentu Administrative area outside Mthatha around 20:30 on Friday night.
The killings come just more than a week after six people were shot dead in Godini in Qumbu, and less than a month after 18 people were brutally gunned down in Ngobozana village in Lusikisiki on 28 September.
According to police, information on hand indicates that the family was asleep in two different houses in a yard.
Mawisa says the parents (husband and wife) were sleeping in a rondavel when two unknown males entered and fatally shot them.
"They flounced out of the rondavel and started firing shots at the people who were sleeping in another house and fatally shot three, and left two injured.
"The other two children who survived the attack managed to run away and informed the neighbours, who then alerted the Police.
"Two males and three females died while the two injured children were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment."
The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene has mobilized all available resources to find the perpetrators.
"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," she said.
Police are investigating five counts of murder and two counts of Attempted Murder.
SAPS is calling upon those who may have any leads to come forward and assist the police in apprehending those behind the murders.
Mene has sent her condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and wished the injured children a speedy recovery.
