South African police have arrested three people in connection with the massacre of 18 relatives that took place in a remote town last week following a manhunt, the police say.<\/p>\n
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu confirmed the arrests during the memorial service for the 18 victims on Sunday, in the town of Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape, where the killings happened.<\/p>\n
He added that the arrest of a fourth suspect would be announced soon.<\/p>\n
Shockwaves erupted across South Africa when gunmen opened fire on two homes, killing fifteen women and three men. Several were shot in the head.<\/p>\n
The victims were aged from 14 to 64 years old, according to local newspaper Dispatch Live<\/a>.<\/p>\n Mchunu said the police are still trying to \u201cpiece together\u201d a motive for the killings.<\/p>\n The attack happened when the family had gathered for a traditional ceremony.<\/p>\n The three suspects will appear in court on Monday to hear their charges.<\/p>\n This massacre has shocked South Africa, adding to calls for more police protection.<\/p>\n South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, according to the latest figures from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.<\/p>\n There were more than 27,000 murders in 2022 – amounting to 45 people per 100,000, out of a population of almost 60 million. By comparison, the US rate is six per 100,000.<\/p>\n It has also led for people to calls to end gender-based violence. South Africa also has a high femicide rate. <\/a><\/p>\n Deputy minister in the presidency Mmapaseka Letsike attended the memorial and said civil society, traditional leaders, government need to “raise the bar” to help end gender-based violence.<\/p>\nYou may also be interested in:<\/h2>\n