South African police have launched a major manhunt after a deadly mass shooting at an informal settlement in Johannesburg left 12 people dead and at least nine others injured. The attack occurred late on Tuesday in the East Rand region of Gauteng province, sending shockwaves through the local community and renewing concerns about escalating gun violence in the country.
According to police, a group of 10 armed men arrived at the settlement in a minibus before moving through different parts of the area and opening fire on residents. The gunmen reportedly targeted multiple locations before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle, prompting a large-scale investigation to identify those responsible.
Authorities are still working to determine the motive behind the attack. Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni visited the scene and said it was too early to conclusively link the shooting to illegal mining activities. However, he noted that some of the victims were found in an area that appeared to be used as a processing site connected to illegal mining operations.
The settlement, known as Jumpers, is situated near several areas where illegal mining has long been a concern. Residents have suggested that the violence may be connected to a territorial dispute between rival groups involved in illicit mining activities, although police have not yet confirmed this theory.
Emergency services responded to the attack and transported the injured to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Investigators continue to gather evidence, interview witnesses and search for the suspects as efforts intensify to establish exactly what led to the massacre.
The shooting has left the community in mourning and heightened fears over violent crime in the region. As police pursue those responsible, local residents are calling for stronger security measures to prevent further bloodshed in areas already affected by criminal activity and illegal mining operations.
