JUST IN: 12 KILLED, NINE INJURED AS GUNMEN OPEN FIRE IN JOHANNESBURG SETTLEMENT

12 KILLED, NINE INJURED AS GUNMEN OPEN FIRE IN JOHANNESBURG SETTLEMENT

South African police have launched a manhunt following a deadly mass shooting that claimed the lives of 12 people and left nine others injured in Johannesburg.

The attack occurred late Tuesday night at the Jumpers Informal Settlement in Cleveland, a suburb of Johannesburg, where heavily armed assailants reportedly stormed the community and opened fire on residents before fleeing the scene.

According to police, more than 10 suspects armed with rifles were involved in the attack. The gunmen allegedly arrived in a white Toyota Quantum vehicle and entered the settlement through multiple access points before shooting indiscriminately at several locations within the community.

Authorities said eight men and three women were pronounced dead at the scene, while another victim later died in hospital from injuries sustained during the attack. Nine other people were taken to medical facilities for treatment.

South African police confirmed that no arrests had been made as of Wednesday but said investigators were pursuing multiple leads in an effort to identify and apprehend those responsible.

In a statement, law enforcement officials said officers responded to reports of an active shooting at approximately 11:10 p.m. local time. Investigators are currently working to determine the motive behind the attack.

Speaking during a visit to the scene, Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni described the killings as “heartless” and “barbaric.” He noted that while the motive remains unclear, investigators are exploring possible links to illegal mining activities in the area.

The settlement is located near regions known for illegal mining operations, a lucrative underground industry that has become increasingly associated with violent criminal activity in South Africa. Rival groups involved in illegal mining have frequently clashed over control of mining sites and resources.

Residents have suggested the shooting may be connected to ongoing disputes among groups involved in the illicit trade, although authorities have not confirmed any direct connection.

Illegal mining remains a significant security challenge in South Africa, prompting the government to intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating around abandoned gold mines. Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa authorized the deployment of military personnel to assist security agencies in tackling illegal mining operations in affected communities.

South Africa continues to grapple with high levels of violent crime, including shootings linked to gang activity, organized crime, and territorial disputes. Informal settlements have often been vulnerable to such incidents due to socioeconomic challenges and the presence of criminal groups.

The latest tragedy comes less than two years after another mass shooting in Johannesburg in which nine people were killed at a tavern.

Police have appealed to members of the public with information that could assist the investigation to come forward as efforts continue to track down the perpetrators.