12 Killed

Author: Gist Correspondent

At least 12 people have been killed and nine others injured following a mass shooting at an informal settlement in Cleveland, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa.

According to South African police, the attack occurred late Tuesday night when a group of heavily armed assailants stormed the settlement and opened fire on residents at multiple locations.

In a statement, police said more than 10 suspects arrived near a petrol station in a white Toyota Quantum before entering the community through different access points.

“The suspects allegedly entered the informal settlement through both entrances and moved through the area, opening fire on residents and community members at multiple locations before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle,” the statement said.

Law enforcement officers were alerted after receiving reports of an ongoing shooting at about 11:10 p.m. local time. Emergency medical personnel were immediately deployed to the scene to assist victims and evacuate the injured.

Police confirmed that eight men and three women died at the scene, while another male victim later succumbed to his injuries in hospital, bringing the death toll to 12.

The nine injured victims were taken to various hospitals for treatment of gunshot wounds.

Authorities have launched a manhunt for the attackers, while investigators work to establish the motive behind the assault.

“The motive for the attack is currently unknown and forms part of the ongoing investigation,” police stated.

South Africa continues to grapple with high levels of violent crime and gun-related killings. The country records an average of about 60 murders daily, making it one of the nations with the highest homicide rates globally.

Mass shootings in informal settlements are not uncommon and are often linked to gang-related activities, criminal rivalries, or personal disputes.

The latest tragedy comes less than a year after nine people were killed in a mass shooting at a tavern in Johannesburg.

Firearm proliferation remains a major concern in South Africa, with an estimated three million legally owned guns and a similar number of unlicensed firearms in circulation, according to figures cited by gun rights advocates.

Police have appealed to members of the public with useful information to assist ongoing investigations and efforts to apprehend the perpetrators.