At Least 12 Dead, 9 Wounded in Deadly Mass Shooting

At least 12 people have been killed and nine others injured following a deadly mass shooting in Johannesburg, South Africa, as police launch a manhunt for a large group of armed suspects.

The attack occurred late on the night of June 9 in the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, a suburb east of Johannesburg. According to South African police, more than 10 heavily armed attackers stormed the settlement and opened fire on residents at several locations before fleeing the scene in a white Toyota Quantum.

Police said the gunmen moved through the community shooting indiscriminately, leaving a trail of death and destruction. Eleven victims died at the scene, while another later succumbed to injuries in hospital. The deceased included nine men and three women. Nine other people sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to various medical facilities for treatment.

Authorities have not yet established the motive behind the attack, and no arrests have been made so far. Investigators are pursuing several leads as they work to identify and track down the suspects responsible for one of the deadliest shootings in the area in recent years.

Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni condemned the killings, describing the attack as heartless and barbaric. He said it was too early to determine whether the massacre was linked to illegal mining activities, although authorities acknowledge that illegal mining syndicates are known to operate in and around the area.

Residents of the settlement woke up to scenes of horror, with several homes reportedly struck by bullets during the gunfire. Family members and community members gathered at the scene as emergency services removed bodies and transported survivors to hospital. Some residents said the violence has left the community living in fear.

The Cleveland area has long struggled with crime linked to illegal mining operations, commonly associated with organized criminal gangs competing for control of lucrative gold-rich territories around Johannesburg. While investigators have not confirmed any connection between the shooting and such activities, police say all possible motives are being examined.

The latest massacre adds to growing concerns over violent crime in South Africa, which continues to record some of the highest homicide rates in the world. Security agencies have intensified efforts to track down the attackers as investigations into the mass shooting continue.