By Hassan Isilow
JOHANNESBURG (AA) – Six community patrollers were shot dead, and four others were injured after gunmen opened fire on them in Qumbu in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, police said Monday.
Police said that a group of eight gunmen, armed with rifles and handguns, allegedly opened fire on 10 community patrollers on Sunday night at about 22:45 local time (20:45 GMT), killing six and injuring four, who were rushed to the hospital.
‘‘It is said that the patrollers were at a local school, and were 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,’’ police said in a statement.
The mass shooting comes barely a week after 18 people were killed at Ngobozana village, Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape.
Police authorities have strongly condemned the senseless and brutal murder of the community patrollers and extended their condolences to the breaved families.
“We have mobilized maximum resources, and we are concerned that those who are working and assisting the police are being targeted and attacked. We will do our best to ensure that those who were behind this mass shooting are apprehended,’’ Provincial Police Commissioner Lt-Gen. Nomthetheleli Mene said.
Mass shootings have become more frequent in South Africa, with dozens of people killed in such incidents over the past two years, though several suspects remain in custody.