Twelve Killed, Nine Injured in Johannesburg Informal Settlement Shooting Attack
A mass shooting in an informal settlement in Cleveland, Johannesburg, has resulted in the deaths of 12 people and injuries to nine others. South African police confirmed that the attack occurred late on Tuesday evening, with a manhunt now underway for the perpetrators.
Police stated that an estimated 10 or more suspects were transported to the vicinity by a white Toyota Quantum vehicle. These individuals reportedly entered the informal settlement through two entry points, moving through the area and indiscriminately firing upon residents at multiple locations. The suspects subsequently fled the scene in the same vehicle.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire around 23:10 local time on Tuesday. Eight men and three women were pronounced dead at the scene, with an additional man succumbing to his injuries in hospital. Nine others sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to medical facilities.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear and is central to the ongoing police investigation. South Africa experiences one of the world's highest murder rates, averaging around 60 fatalities daily. Shootings within informal settlements are a frequent occurrence, often linked to gang activity and personal disputes. In the previous year, a mass shooting at a Johannesburg tavern also claimed nine lives. Estimates suggest there are at least three million legally owned firearms in South Africa, alongside a similar number of unlicensed weapons.
