Authorities in South Africa report that a dozen people lost their lives and at least nine others sustained injuries during a violent shooting spree that occurred Tuesday evening in Johannesburg.
Law enforcement officials believe over 10 gunmen arrived by minibus to an unplanned residential community in Cleveland, a Johannesburg neighborhood, where they began firing at residents during the nighttime hours.
This incident adds to a troubling pattern of mass violence that has plagued the South African metropolis in recent months, including two separate December attacks that claimed more than 20 lives. At least one of those previous incidents also involved multiple shooters.
These violent episodes are often connected to criminal organizations involved in unauthorized mining operations that function in the Johannesburg area. The Cleveland neighborhood where Tuesday’s attack occurred is known to have ties to such illegal mining activities.
Law enforcement described how the perpetrators “moved through the area, opening fire on residents and community members at multiple locations before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle.”
The casualties included nine male victims and three female victims, authorities confirmed. Eleven individuals were pronounced dead at the location, while one additional victim succumbed to injuries after being transported to a medical facility.
Investigators continue their search for the suspects, with no apprehensions reported thus far. Officials stated that the reason behind the attack has not yet been determined.
Unplanned residential communities in South Africa consist of spontaneous housing developments typically constructed with temporary structures like shacks.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe explained that “Provincial and district detectives, supported by crime intelligence and forensic experts, have been mobilized to investigate the incident and track down the suspects.”
Police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni condemned the perpetrators as “heartless” but declined to connect the killings to unauthorized mining operations pending completion of the investigation.
“We are still investigating, but what we have seen here is a criminal act. We have deployed all required units,” he stated, noting that intelligence personnel have also been assigned to the location.
