By Blessing Nweke
South African police have launched a major manhunt after at least 12 people were killed and nine others injured in a mass shooting at an informal settlement in Johannesburg late Tuesday night.
According to police, more than 10 heavily armed suspects entered the Jumpers Informal Settlement in Cleveland, a suburb east of Johannesburg, and opened fire on residents before fleeing in a white Toyota Quantum vehicle. Officers responded to reports of an active shooting at around 11:10 p.m. local time.
Police said the attackers were dropped off near a petrol station before entering the settlement through multiple access points and moving through the area while firing at residents. The suspects then escaped in the same vehicle.
Eight men and three women were pronounced dead at the scene, while another man later died in hospital from his injuries. At least nine other victims were taken to medical facilities for treatment of gunshot wounds.
Authorities described the attack as “heartless” and “barbaric,” while emphasizing that the motive remains under investigation.
During a visit to the scene on Wednesday, provincial police commissioner Lt. Gen. Tommy Mthombeni said investigators could not rule out a connection to illegal mining activities in the area.
“As you know, this area is adjacent to the illegal mining area. We are having those suspicions,” Mthombeni told reporters.
Residents believe the shooting may be linked to a turf war involving groups of illegal miners operating nearby. Illegal mining has become increasingly widespread in South Africa, particularly around abandoned gold mines, where criminal groups often compete for control of lucrative operations.
South Africa continues to struggle with high levels of violent crime. Mass shootings in informal settlements are not uncommon and are frequently linked to gang activity, territorial disputes and other criminal conflicts. Police have appealed for information as efforts to track down the gunmen continue.
Original article
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