A devastating mass shooting in a village in the Eastern Cape has left 17 dead and three critically injured. The victims, believed to be relatives and neighbors, were shot dead at a homestead in the village of Nyathi, Ngobozana, Lusikisiki, on Friday night.

Fifteen of the victims were women and the other two were men. Thirteen of them - 12 women and one man - were found in a house, and another four in another property. The three injured survivors are still in hospital.

They were getting ready for a traditional ritual, umembulo or ukukhululwa kwezila This year's event, scheduled for Saturday in the village of MaNtlaneni, also in Lusikisiki, will mark the end of mourning for a mother and daughter murdered a year ago.

The group was gathered to pack goods and gifts for the event when the shooting occurred.

Local authorities have confirmed the incident and the police are searching for the perpetrators.