Manhunt underway after 12 killed in Johannesburg mass shooting

Late Tuesday evening, a sudden volley of gunfire shattered the calm of the Jumpers Informal Settlement in Johannesburg’s Cleveland suburb, killing twelve residents and leaving further people wounded.

Reports say at least ten suspects—armed with rifles—entered the settlement, firing from multiple positions before fleeing in a white Toyota Quantum. Police combed the area, following the vehicle’s trail through the surrounding streets and locking down the neighbourhood.

The motive for the attack remains unclear. Community members suspect the violence is tied to turf disputes among illegal miners that increasingly operate in the nearby zones. Lt Gen Tommy Mthombeni, who visited the scene on Wednesday, called the assault "heartless" and "barbaric" and hinted at possible links to the illegal mining circuit.

Illegal mining is a growing concern in South Africa, where the high murder rate spikes in areas plagued by unregistered weapons and gang rivalry. Officials have previously deployed troops to shut down some mining sites, following earlier incidents such as a tavern shooting that left nine dead last year.

No arrests have yet been made. Police are pursuing all possible leads and working to connect the suspects to the white vehicle and the shootings that took place across several community sites.

Reynolds forensics team with police at the crime scene

Reuters

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