Twelve people were killed and nine others injured in a mass shooting at an informal settlement in Johannesburg, South African police said on Wednesday, prompting a large-scale manhunt for the attackers.
Police said the attack took place on Tuesday evening at the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg, where multiple armed men opened fire on residents at different locations within the community before fleeing.
Preliminary investigations indicate the suspects arrived in a white Toyota Quantum and entered the settlement through two separate access points. Witnesses reported sustained gunfire as the assailants moved through the area.
Emergency responders transported the injured to nearby medical facilities, while police secured the scene and began collecting evidence.
Law enforcement agencies said they are searching for more than ten suspects believed to have been involved in the attack. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday, and investigators had yet to establish a motive.
The incident adds to ongoing concerns about violent crime in South Africa, where gun-related killings remain frequent and authorities continue to battle entrenched criminal activity in several communities.
Police have appealed for information from the public to assist with investigations as efforts continue to track down those responsible for the mass shooting.
