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Six people have died in an alleged arson attack.
- A tavern in the Eastern Cape was bombarded with gasoline, with an unknown number of customers locked inside.
- It is alleged that two men entered the tavern and ordered everyone to leave.
- Those who did not listen were locked inside.
Police are searching for two men who allegedly locked several people in a tavern and bombed the establishment in King William’s Town, Eastern Cape, on Thursday night.
Six people died and four were injured.
Around 9 p.m., two unidentified men entered the tavern, located in Sweetwater, and ordered all patrons to leave the establishment, police spokesman Colonel Sibongile Soci said.
Some of the customers obeyed the men’s instructions and left, but those who stayed were not so lucky.
Just 15 minutes after they entered the tavern, the men allegedly threw a gasoline bomb into the establishment and locked the remaining patrons inside when the fire began to burn.
“In total, six people died during this ordeal,” Soci said.
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Four other people, three women and one man, were injured during the incident. They were rushed to Gray Hospital for treatment.
Firefighters managed to control the fire and saved a “few” people who were still alive and trapped inside.
“You cannot confirm all the ages of the victims.”
Arson
Six counts of murder and arson have been opened.
“The cause of the attack is unknown at the moment and is part of the investigation. A 72-hour activation plan has been initiated, while the case has been handed over to the DPCI. [Hawks] for further investigation and management, “Soci said.
Eastern Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga expressed surprise at the incident.
“There are not enough or appropriate words to express our shock at the inhuman and brutal way the victims suffered at the mercy of the perpetrators,” said Ntshinga.
“Our detectives must leave no corner untidy in search of the perpetrators behind this cruel act.
“We have started a 72-hour activation, and at the same time we send our deepest condolences to the victims, their families and close relatives.”
