A manhunt is underway after 17 people were killed in a mass shooting that targeted two homes on the same street in a rural South African village, police said Saturday, September 28.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday in Ngobozana village in Lusikisiki, located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province. According to a statement from the country’s police ministry, two homesteads were targeted in the shootings.

In the first homestead, four people were shot and killed, with no survivors. The second homestead, which contained two different houses in the same yard, saw 13 people killed out of the 19 present. In total, 15 women and two men lost their lives in the attack.

Six people, including a two-month-old baby, survived the violent incident. One survivor is reportedly in critical condition at a local hospital.

Authorities have deployed a team of detectives and forensic experts to investigate the crime scene and gather evidence. The police ministry stated that these specialists are working “to piece all evidence together in a bid to apprehend these brutal criminals.”

Media reports say the people were at a family gathering but the motive behind the attack remains unknown at this time.

This incident is part of a concerning trend of mass shootings in South Africa, which has long grappled with high rates of violent crime. The country’s murder rate is currently at a 20-year high, and South Africa is known to have one of the world’s highest murder rates.

Recent police data reveals the extent of the problem: more than 6,000 people were murdered across the country between April and June of this year alone. In the first six months of 2024, South Africa recorded 12,734 homicides, averaging more than 70 deaths per day.

Firearms play a significant role in these statistics, being the leading cause of death in homicide cases. Despite relatively strict gun laws in South Africa, authorities point to the large number of illegal and unregistered firearms in circulation as a major contributing factor to the country’s crime problem.

In response to the escalating violence, the police ministry reported that more than 53,000 suspects wanted for violent crimes, including murder, had been arrested in the last month. Additionally, over 400 illegal and unregistered firearms were seized during this period.

The government has implemented various strategies to combat crime and violence. Operation Shanela, a police initiative, has resulted in over 285,000 arrests since May of the previous year. The newly established Border Management Authority has improved border security, stopping over 100,000 illegal entries.

Authorities have also focused on addressing gender-based violence, developing a National Strategic Plan with civil society involvement. The government has allocated 21 billion rand (approximately $1.1 billion) for its implementation.

Despite these efforts, the recent mass shooting in Ngobozana village underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and communities across South Africa. As the investigation continues, residents and officials alike are left grappling with the impact of this violent event and the broader implications for public safety in the country.