South African police have launched a major manhunt after 12 people were killed in a mass shooting at an informal settlement in Johannesburg late on Tuesday night.
Authorities said around 10 armed men arrived at the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg, in a minibus before opening fire at multiple locations across the area.
Police said the attackers moved through the settlement targeting residents before escaping in the same vehicle shortly after the shooting.
At least nine other people were injured in the attack, which has shocked residents and renewed concerns over violent crime and gun violence in South Africa.
Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni visited the scene as investigations continued into the motive behind the deadly shooting.
Speaking to reporters, Mthombeni said police could not rule out the possibility that the attack was linked to illegal mining activities in the area.
“But of course we cannot overrule that because I’ve seen some of the victims. Some of the victims where they were lying, it looks like this is a processing centre for illegal mining,” he said.
The Jumpers informal settlement is located near several illegal mining hotspots, commonly associated with violent turf wars involving armed criminal groups.
Residents reportedly believe the shooting may have been connected to ongoing disputes between rival illegal mining groups operating in the area.
Police are continuing investigations while search operations remain underway to track down the suspects responsible for the killings.
The tragedy is the latest in a series of deadly shootings that have raised alarm over public safety and organised criminal activity across parts of South Africa.
