Johannesburg, South Africa – South African police have launched a large-scale manhunt for a group of armed suspects who carried out a deadly shooting attack that left 12 people dead and nine others injured in the Cleveland area of Johannesburg.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the attack occurred on Tuesday night in the informal settlement of Jumpers, where approximately ten gunmen opened fire indiscriminately on residents.
The suspects were reportedly travelling in a Toyota Quantum minibus when they unleashed a barrage of gunfire on the community before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle.
“Eight men and three women died at the scene,” Colonel Nevhuhulwi said, adding that another victim later succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at a hospital, bringing the death toll to 12.
Police have not yet established the motive behind the attack and investigations are ongoing.
Following the shooting, law enforcement agencies launched an intensive search operation to track down the perpetrators and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
South Africa continues to grapple with high levels of violent crime, including shootings linked to organized criminal groups and disputes within the illegal economy. The country records one of the highest homicide rates in the world, with an average of around 60 murders reported every day.
The widespread availability of firearms and ammunition has been cited as a major factor contributing to gun-related violence, which remains a significant security challenge for authorities.
Police have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward as efforts to identify and arrest the suspects continue.
KIGALI TIMES