South Africa mass shooting leaves dozens of casualties as manhunt underway

At least 12 people have been killed and nine others injured after a mass shooting in a residential settlement in Johannesburg, South African authorities confirmed.

The attack took place on Tuesday, June 9, at around 11:10 p.m. local time in the Jumpers Informal Settlement in the suburb of Cleveland, according to a statement from the South African Police Service (SAPS) released on Wednesday.

Police said “more than 10 suspects” arrived in a white Toyota Quantum before opening fire on residents at multiple locations within the community and then fleeing the scene.

“Upon arrival, police found numerous victims who had sustained gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services were immediately summoned to the scene to assist the injured,” the SAPS statement said.

Authorities later confirmed that 12 people died as a result of the attack — eight adult men and three adult women were pronounced dead at the scene, while a 12th victim died later in hospital. Nine additional victims were transported to various medical facilities for treatment.

Investigators said the attackers were dropped off near a petrol station in Cleveland before driving through both entrances of the settlement and opening fire indiscriminately on residents.

The suspects reportedly escaped in the same vehicle and remain at large. No arrests have been made, and the motive behind the attack is still under investigation.

Police have launched a manhunt as forensic teams continue to examine the scene.

The shooting has added to growing concerns over violent crime in parts of South Africa, where mass casualty incidents have increasingly drawn national attention in recent years.