CAPE TOWN – Seven men were shot dead and their bodies set alight during a brutal attack at a house in Better Life, Philippi East, on Friday night, 18 October. The victims, aged between 20 and 30, were all from Flagstaff in the Eastern Cape.
The homeowner, Sisa Mateyisi, said he was devastated by the attack and learned of the incident from neighbours. “I’m devastated by this. I don’t know what to do,” said Mateyisi, who was visibly traumatised.
Mateyisi said he had only known three of the people renting his house and was shocked to discover that 11 people had been staying there. “I was shocked to learn there were 11 staying there. I don’t know where the other people came from,” he said.
According to Mateyisi, nine people were in the house when the attack occurred – eight men and one woman. Two people survived the massacre.
One male survivor told Mateyisi he heard gunshots and watched as men sitting in the dining room ran into his room and threw themselves on top of him. “He said the attackers came in and shot them. He said he pretended to be dead as well, which is how he survived,” Mateyisi explained.
The woman was sleeping in a separate room when the attack occurred and also survived. Both survivors emerged from the house when police officers arrived.
Mateyisi said the attackers set the men’s bodies on fire after shooting them, though it remains unclear how the male survivor escaped the flames.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel André Traut confirmed that officers have launched a large-scale manhunt following the shooting. Detectives from the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit have been assigned to the case and are pursuing all available leads.
“Western Cape police management has strongly condemned this senseless act of violence and confirmed the investigation has been prioritised to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly,” Traut said.
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile expressed concern about the level of violence and appealed for community assistance. “Community cooperation is crucial in bringing those responsible to book and restoring safety to our neighbourhoods,” he said.
Police are urging anyone with information about the attack to contact them immediately.
