12 killed, 9 injured in mass shooting in Johannesburg, South Africa

South African police have launched a manhunt after 12 people were killed and nine others injured in a mass shooting at an informal settlement in Johannesburg.
According to police, at least 10 heavily armed suspects stormed the Jumpers Informal Settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg, late on Tuesday night and opened fire on residents before fleeing the scene in a white vehicle.
Authorities described the attack as "heartless" and "barbaric" and have launched an intensive investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Police said officers responded to reports of an active shooting at approximately 11:10 p.m. local time. Upon arrival, they discovered multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
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Eight men and three women were pronounced dead at the scene, while another man later succumbed to his injuries in hospital. Nine additional victims were transported to various medical facilities for treatment.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and investigators are exploring several possible leads.
Members of the local community believe the shooting may be linked to ongoing turf wars involving illegal mining groups operating in the area. Illegal mining has become increasingly prevalent across South Africa, particularly around abandoned gold mines, where criminal networks extract minerals and sell them on the black market.
The illegal mining trade has often been associated with violent clashes between rival groups competing for control of lucrative mining sites. Earlier this year, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa deployed military personnel to assist authorities in cracking down on illegal mining operations in affected communities.
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South Africa continues to grapple with high levels of violent crime, and shootings in informal settlements are not uncommon. Such incidents are frequently linked to gang activity, organised crime, and personal disputes.
The latest tragedy comes less than a year after nine people were killed in a mass shooting at a tavern in Johannesburg, underscoring ongoing concerns over gun violence in the country.
According to figures cited by South African Gunowners' Association spokesperson Gideon Joubert, South Africa has approximately three million legally owned firearms, with an estimated similar number of unlicensed weapons in circulation.
Police have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward as efforts continue to track down the suspects.
Edem Kwame
Edem Kwame is a journalist at GH News Media covering news and national developments in Ghana.

