STRAND – The community has released the names of the 10 people killed in the Lwandle mass shooting ahead of its memorial service on Saturday 3 October.

They were killed when gunmen opened fire on patrons at KwaNdelu Shisanyama, an entertainment venue in Vulindlela Street on Sunday (27 September) at 01:46.

Their names were released by Ward 85 councillor Xolani Diniso in a social media post on Thursday (1 October) after provincial police had stated the identities would be made known after their next of kin were informed.

They are Tatenda Clavah, Siyathemba Jilaji, Khululekani Ndlovu, Avuyile Sikweza, Sivenathi Manxiwa, Abongile Hele, Lahluma Klaas, Okuhle Matibane, Ryan Tanaka Kaserera and Yonelani July.

The service, which will be held at 12:00 in the Nomzamo Community Hall, is being coordinated by the Lwandle Community Policing Forum and local Ward 85 and 86 structures.

“In consultation with the families of the deceased, [we] invite all community members to a memorial service where we will be celebrating the lives lived by these young ones,” Diniso’s post read.

The memorial was announced at a meeting on Wednesday (30 September), where Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais and provincial police commissioner Lt Gen Sizakhele Dyantyi met with the 21 families affected by the shooting at Diniso’s offices. The details and names were released in Diniso’s social media post the following day.

Among those who will be remembered at Saturday’s service are:

Yonelani July, whose stepmother Felicia Kholoswa described her as a good person, friendly and nurturing, a loving mother to her three young children who will be sorely missed.

Avuyile Sikweza, whose uncle Luyanda Macokeni explained that her death had put an end to a bright future as she had just been accepted at university following a gap year. He spoke at Wednesday’s meeting demanding justice for Sikweza and pleaded that the perpetrators not be allowed to get away with what they had done.

ALSO READ: Lwandle mass shooting: Uncle demands justice and resources

Meanwhile, provincial police spokesperson Capt FC van Wyk has said that the investigation was at an advanced stage.

“A team of dedicated investigators continue to pursue every available lead as they work to fully uncover the circumstances surrounding the attack,” Van Wyk said.

However, due to the sensitive nature of the case, his office was unable to elaborate further.

ALSO READ: Mass shooting leaves 10 dead at entertainment venue, police search for gunmen