As South Africans prepared for the New Year, headmen in an Eastern Cape village scarred by a massacre that claimed 18 lives in September went door-to-door urging residents not to set off fireworks.
The Ngobozana community in Lusikisiki remains traumatised by the September bloodbath in which 17 people were killed in an attack on families while they prepared for a traditional ceremony. Another victim died later in hospital.
This week local pastor Lucky Herron said the area is still plagued by criminals, leaving residents in fear. Leaders realised the onset of fireworks discharging to ring in 2025 would trigger trauma in the community.
The patrols promised to the community only materialised during the funerals. Since then nothing has happened and crime persists
— Pastor Lucky Herron
“As a consequence on December 31, headmen conducted a door-to-door appeal urging residents not to discharge fireworks, given the community's continued shock and sensitivity,” said Herron.
The “government has failed to maintain momentum” after the funerals.
“The patrols promised to the community only materialised during the funerals. Since then nothing has happened and crime persists,” he said.
“About one to two weeks ago I received a report alleging two boys from Mcobothini had been fatally shot by an individual from Ngobozana. This incident suggests criminals remain at large and illegal firearms are still readily available. We are verifying the information.”
The pastor said there have been numerous crime incidents in the community and surrounding villages since the massacre.
“A woman from our area was stabbed in Mcobothini and taken to Mthatha Hospital,” he said.
“About two weeks ago, another woman was attacked in her home, brutally beaten and shot. I intended to visit and verify the details. This is the reality of our community since the massacre of 18 people.
“The violence continues to claim more victims. People are still being injured and killed due to crime. The two women are hospitalised, while the two boys from Mcobothini died.”
Herron said the families of the deceased were “struggling to cope”.
“One family, in particular, continues to suffer. The government only provided a prefabricated structure during the funerals.
“They lack a permanent home and face difficulties in providing necessities. As it stands, there's little hope. The deceased mother had been assisting another family with preparing traditional beer, a means to earn a living, when she died in the massacre.”
Police arrested the “outstanding suspect” linked to the massacre in Qonce (King William's Town) on Sunday. He was travelling in a Cape Town-bound bus.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Lt-Col Siphokazi Mawisa said the suspect will appear in the Lusikisiki magistrate's court soon.
“Upon searching the bus, they found the 20-year-old male who was the only outstanding suspect in the Lusikisiki mass shooting. He was arrested and will be charged accordingly,” said Mawisa.
Herron welcomed the arrest.
“We were informed about the arrest and we assumed the police had apprehended all suspects, given the trial is set to commence in February and the prosecution has confirmed readiness to proceed.”
He said the only obstacle the community knew of was alleged mastermind Mzukisi Ndamase's insistence on self-representation instead of securing a lawyer. Ndamase, who is serving a life sentence, allegedly orchestrated the attack from behind bars.
“Rumours have circulated in the community that Ndamase is the alleged mastermind,” said Herron.
“However, we're uncertain about the individuals he supposedly enlisted to carry out the act. We hope the courts will substantiate our claims. Ndamase is widely feared.”
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