At least 12 people were killed and nine others injured after heavily armed attackers opened fire in an informal settlement near Johannesburg, prompting a major police manhunt.
According to South African police, the deadly shooting took place late Tuesday night in the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, a suburb of Johannesburg. Authorities said a group of more than 10 armed suspects arrived in a white van before launching coordinated attacks at multiple locations within the community.
Police said the gunmen entered the settlement through different access points and indiscriminately opened fire on residents before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and no arrests have been made so far.
Officials confirmed that 11 victims, including three women, died at the scene, while another injured man later succumbed to his wounds in hospital, bringing the death toll to 12. Nine other people sustained gunshot injuries and were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
The incident has sparked concerns over violent crime in South Africa, where mass shootings and gang-related violence continue to pose significant challenges for law enforcement agencies.
In a statement, the South African Police Service said provincial and district detectives, supported by forensic experts and crime intelligence units, had been mobilised to investigate the killings and track down those responsible.
Authorities have launched an extensive manhunt and are appealing to members of the public to provide any information that could assist the investigation.
Police officials said forensic teams were examining the crime scene and gathering evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The shooting is one of the deadliest incidents reported in the Johannesburg area this year and has renewed calls for stronger measures to combat violent crime and improve community safety.
Investigators said efforts to identify the suspects and establish a motive for the attack remain ongoing.