File
Eastern Cape police have launched a manhunt for the gunmen who shot and killed six community patrollers outside a school in Qumbu on Sunday night.
Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene strongly condemned the “ambush” which also left four others injured at the Lugongozo Junior Secondary School in Tina Falls.
Police spokesperson, Warrant-Officer Majola Nkohli, said its alleged that a group of eight men, armed with rifles and handguns, opened fire on the group at around 22:45 on Sunday night.
He said the patrollers were at a local school and preparing for their evening patrols when they were attacked.
“The suspects (unknown) are still at large, and a motive for the shooting is unknown at this stage,” Nkohli said.
The Eastern Cape Education Department has condemned the incident in the strongest terms.
Bhisho Education Department spokesperson, Mali Mtima, said the attack came on the eve of their schools safety summit taking place at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha on Tuesday.
"The purpose of the summit is to review and strengthen school safety while also mobilizing civil society and the state towards a safe, violence and threat-free teaching and learning environment for both learners and educators in the province.
"The Nelson Mandela education district was selected to host this summit since it has recently become a hot spot for these crimes and schools have been soft targets for these criminals," the Department said.
