A South African court has charged a man in connection with the shocking murder of 18 relatives at a rural homestead in the southeastern part of the country.
The National Prosecuting Authority announced on Wednesday that Siphosoxolo Myekethe faces 18 counts of murder and an additional charge for possessing an unlicensed firearm.
The 45-year-old was apprehended by police on Monday evening at his residence.
The NPA revealed that Myekethe has a criminal history, having previously served time for murder and for escaping legal custody.
At the time of this tragic incident, he was reportedly on parole, although the specifics regarding the duration of his release remain undisclosed.
The massacre took place on September 28 in Lusikisiki village, located in the Eastern Cape province, during a traditional ceremony where family members had gathered.
The incident has sent shockwaves across the nation, igniting urgent calls for enhanced police protection in rural communities.
The motive behind the brutal shooting is still unclear, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.
According to South African media reports, the victims, ranging in age from 14 to 64, included 15 women, many of whom suffered gunshot wounds to the head.
This horrifying event adds to the rising concerns about violence in the region. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu previously mentioned that three individuals had been arrested in connection with the massacre; however, it remains uncertain whether these arrests are linked to Myekethe, who appeared in court on Wednesday.
In a disturbing pattern of violence in the area, just days after the Lusikisiki incident, six security guards were killed while preparing to go on patrol near a local school in a nearby village.
South Africa’s homicide rate is alarmingly high, with recent statistics indicating 6,198 murders recorded between April and June, making it one of the highest per capita rates globally.
