SURVIVORS of the shooting incident that claimed nine lives at Popo Molefe informal settlement known as Siza outside Rustenburg in North West on Saturday evening, 16 December, said they are still traumatised.
What was supposed to be a fun 16 December holiday celebration ended in sorrow.
Nine people were killed and eight injured after an unknown number of Sotho men arrived at a party hosted by Xhosa people and allegedly started shooting.
It's alleged that the war between Xhosa people and Sotho nationals was over allegations of livestock theft.
Survivor speaks
A woman, who was also at the party said she hadn't slept or eaten since the incident.
"I am struggling to cope," she said.
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"We contributed money to spend time together on the Saturday, 16 December, as most of us will be going home in the Eastern Cape for the holidays."
She said that because the music was loud, they only noticed the perpetrators when they were already inside the yard.
"I laid down, pretending to be dead. I don't know how the bullets missed me because all the people next to me died instantly. She says she is still shaking from the shock.
"My five-year-old son ran and I heard the men arguing on whether to shoot him or not. One of them said: 'he is a child, let's leave him'. That's how I could tell they were Sotho people.
"At that moment, I had the urge to stand up, but I didn't," she said.
"I can't say how many perpetrators were here because others were waiting outside, shooting those who were trying to run away."
She said she is five months pregnant and wants to go back home for good as it's not safe for her family.
"The incident happened at around 9pm and the police only came at around 4am. I was the one covering the bodies with blankets."
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How the drama unfolded
On 12 September, Daily Sun published the story where houses belonging to Sotho nationals at Siza were burnt allegedly by Xhosa people over alleged livestock theft. A 38-year-old man, who was shot said he was in severe pain.
He was shot in the in the back, leg, thighs and hand.
He said they don't know the motive behind the shooting.
"Those men did not say anything. They just started shooting."
The said he was shocked and asked him how he survived. He said it can also be the grace of God. Seven people are still hospitalised.
Cops investigate
Police spokesman Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the five men and four women were killed at about 9.15pm while sitting in a yard.
"According to information available at this stage, a group of mainly Xhosa-speaking individuals were sitting in a yard drinking liquor when an unconfirmed number of Sesotho speaking suspects opened fire on them," said Mokgwabone.
"The motive is yet to be determined and no one has been arrested at this stage. Investigations into the matter continue," Mokgwabone said.
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