Eight shot dead at birthday party in South Africa

A shooting at a birthday party in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa killed eight people and wounded three over the weekend.

On Monday, Nomthetheleli Mene, police commissioner, said two unidentified gunmen randomly shot at guests who were at the party in Kwazakhele township.

Five men and three women, aged between 20 and 64, have been identified as victims of the shooting.

The celebrant, who clocked 51, was also among those killed, police added.

“These victims were killed by criminals, and we will not rest until we find out what happened and who was responsible for (this) callous and cold-blooded attack on these unsuspecting victims,” Mene said.

The police commissioner described the attack as “cowardice and a blatant disregard for human life” and asked residents to come forward with any information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

According to Gun Free South Africa, 30 people are murdered with guns daily in South Africa.

The country also has one of the highest gun crime rates in the world but random mass shootings are uncommon.

In 2022, the country saw a string of shootings in separate bars which left more at least 19 people dead. Those shootings are still under investigation.