Gunmen opened fire at an informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg in South Africa on Tuesday night, killing at least 12 people and wounding nine others.
According to the South African police service, officers responded to reports of a shooting in progress at around 11:10 pm local time at the Jumpers informal settlement. The police found multiple victims at different locations within the area.
Officials declared eight men and three women dead at the scene while another victim later died in the hospital. News agency Reuters reported that the wounded were taken for medical treatment.
Police said over 10 suspects were allegedly dropped off near the settlement in a white Toyota Quantum vehicle. The shooters reportedly entered through two access points and moved through the settlement, opening fire on the residents before escaping in the same vehicle.
“It is alleged that more than 10 suspects were dropped off by a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station in Cleveland,” said the police statement.
“The suspects allegedly entered the informal settlement through both entrances and moved through the area, opening fire on residents and community members at multiple locations before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle,” it added.
Investigators have not yet determined the motive behind the attack and has not made any arrests so far. Authorities have launched a manhunt and have appealed to the public for further information.
The statement had said, “The motive for the attack is currently unknown and forms part of the ongoing investigation.”
South Africa currently has one of the highest murder rates in the world, averaging about 60 a day. Shootings in informal settlements are very frequent in the country and have been often linked to gang violence and personal disputes.
According to statistics referred by Gideon Joubert from the South African Gunowners’ Association, there are roughly three million legally held firearms in South Africa and at least the same number of unlicensed weapons.
