Eastern Cape Police Launch Manhunt After Gqeberha Shooting, Two Women and a 9-Year-Old Girl Killed

• Eastern Cape police are investigating a murder in Gqeberha, which left two women and a young girl dead
• The Eastern Cape province has experienced several fatal mass shootings over the past calendar year
• South Africans took to social media to share their thoughts on the latest shooting to rock the province

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

EASTERN CAPE – A manhunt has been launched in Gqeberha after a fatal shooting claimed the lives of three people.

Two women, aged 40 and 65, and a 9-year-old girl, were shot dead inside a house in Soweto on Sea in Kwazakele, Gqeberha. The shooting happened on Monday, 8 September 2025, at approximately 7:40 pm.

Motive for the shooting remains unclear

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Kwazakele confirmed that members responded to calls about a shooting incident at Malibale Street. Community members informed police that they heard gunshots and then found the three bodies inside the home. The three victims were declared dead on the scene.

While the motive and circumstances are not yet known, a team from the Provincial Serious Violent Crime Unit (SVCU) in Gqeberha has been tasked with tracing the suspects responsible for the crime. Detectives are investigating three counts of murder, and police are appealing to anyone with information to contact Warrant Officer John Lourens on 071 352 4706 or Crime Stop on 086 00 10111.

Eastern Cape province a hub for mass shootings

Residents of the Eastern Cape are no strangers to mass shootings. The province has been rocked by fatal gun violence incidents over the past calendar year.

In October 2024, six individuals were killed in a mass shooting in the Qumbu area of the province. The incident also left four others requiring medical treatment.

In May 2025, two elderly Eastern Cape sisters were shot and killed in their sleep. The women were aged 75 and 85 years old. A few days after that incident, gunmen shot dead three people and left two others injured in the Tshapile Village outside eNgcobo. The victims were preparing for a funeral when the heavily armed men stormed the complex and opened fire on them.

How did South Africans react to the shooting?

The latest murder in the province sparked mixed reactions online. While some were angry, others noted how common violent crimes were in the country.

Moreshka Lebona stated:

“Death by murder every second in South Africa. We are living in hell.”

Thembinkosi Mgcina Siroro said:

“No one is safe in this country except the top officials and politicians.”

Anton Vain Nieuwenhuizen added:

“No law. No president.”

@GCINANI_ exclaimed:

“Another child gone. Another mother silenced. Another manhunt launched. We’re not desensitised; we’re drowning. Gqeberha doesn’t need headlines. It needs healing.”

Matome Charles Mohwibidu noted:

“This is the third incident. The same number of people, and the same kind of people.”

18 killed in Lusiksiki massacre

Briefly News reported that the most tragic mass shooting in the province happened on 27 September 2024.

18 people were gunned down in the Eastern Cape, in what soon became known as the Lusikisiki massacre.

The mass shooting, which happened at two different households in the area, shocked South Africans.

Source: Briefly News