At least 12 people were killed and nine others wounded after gunmen stormed an informal settlement in Johannesburg, South African police said on Wednesday.
The attack took place late Tuesday night in the Cleveland area, where heavily armed assailants reportedly opened fire on residents before fleeing the scene.
According to police, more than 10 suspects arrived in a white Toyota Quantum minibus and entered the settlement through different access points. Witnesses said the attackers moved through the area, shooting indiscriminately at residents and community members.
Officers were alerted to the shooting shortly after 11 p.m. local time and rushed to the scene alongside emergency medical teams.
Police said eight men and three women were pronounced dead at the scene, while another victim later succumbed to injuries in hospital. Nine other people sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to various medical facilities for treatment.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspects and are investigating the motive behind the attack.
“The motive for the shooting is still unknown and forms part of ongoing investigations,” police said in a statement.
South Africa continues to grapple with one of the highest violent crime rates in the world, with an average of around 60 murders recorded daily.
Mass shootings are not uncommon in the country, particularly in informal settlements, where incidents are often linked to gang rivalries, criminal activity, or personal disputes.
The latest attack is among the deadliest reported in Johannesburg in recent months and has renewed concerns over the country’s persistent gun violence problem.
Police have appealed to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward.
