South Africa: 12 killed, nine injured in Johannesburg mass shooting

At least 12 people have been killed in a mass shooting in Johannesburg, according to Police in South Africa.

Nine others were injured in the attack at an informal settlement in Cleveland late on Tuesday, as security forces launched a manhunt for the suspects involved.

Police said the attackers arrived in a white Toyota Quantum before entering the settlement and opening fire in multiple locations.

A police statement disclosed that “It is alleged that more than 10 suspects were dropped off by a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station in Cleveland.

“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.”

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Officers were later called to the scene of the Johannesburg mass shooting following a “complaint of shooting in progress” at about 23:10 local time on Tuesday (21:10 GMT).

Emergency medical teams were deployed to treat victims.

Police said eight men and three women were killed at the scene, while an additional man died later in hospital.

The police said the motive for the attack is still unknown and remains part of an ongoing investigation.

South Africa records one of the highest murder rates globally, with about 60 killings per day on average.

Shootings in informal settlements are common and are often linked to gang activity or personal disputes.

Last year, nine people were killed in a mass shooting at a tavern in Johannesburg.

Authorities say the country has about three million legally owned firearms, alongside an estimated equal number of unlicensed weapons, according to figures cited by Gideon Joubert from the South African Gunowners’ Association.

(BBC)