At least 12 people have been killed and nine injured in a mass shooting near Johannesburg, police in South Africa said on Wednesday.
A manhunt is underway for more than 10 suspects that police believe were dropped off in a white Toyota Quantum late on Tuesday night, before fleeing in the same vehicle after carrying out the attack.
Another nine people were injured in the attack on an informal settlement in Cleveland, amid suspicions the attack was linked to illegal mining practises.
Eight men and three women were killed in the attack, police said. Eleven of them died at the scene and the 12th died in the hospital.
Gauteng police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni said the murders were “heartless” and “barbaric” after visiting the area on Wednesday morning.
Police said a motive had not been confirmed but illegal mining in the area is a possible cause, according to South African broadcaster eNCA.
“It is a worrying factor that we find ourselves back here today, but we have not lost the fight against illegal mining,” he said.
“It is really a problem in this area, but with disruptive operations, we are in a position to put a halt to it. Currently, we cannot, however, confirm that this incident is linked to illegal mining.”
One witness said they heard the gunfire ringing out for more than one hour as they hid in the toilet. A community leader was shot dead last month with shootings in the area becoming more common, the witness said.
A community leader said the place was “very dangerous”.
Despite being hesitant to speak as she feared for her life, the unnamed woman also said it was suspected the feud was linked to illegal mining.
“I don’t want to say anything because tomorrow, you might find it will be me. It’s really painful that people were killed like dogs,” she said.
Security strategist Andy Mashaile told eNCA that the nature of the attack suggests there were likely days or weeks of pre-planning.
“There was proper coordination and resources organised,” he said.
“It sounds that there was a command and control structure from the cordoning of the area by blocking the entrance and exits and shooting from that angle. The probability is highly that it is a contested terrain between the illicit mining gangs. This is aimed at instilling fear for the other gang.”
Informal settlements are unplanned residential areas usually made up of shacks or similar structure found in South Africa. The country has one of the world’s highest murder rates, averaging about 60 a day.
The police statement reads: “It is alleged that more than 10 suspects were dropped off by a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station in Cleveland.
“The suspects allegedly entered the informal settlement through both entrances and moved through the area, opening fire on residents and community members at multiple locations before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle.”
Local officers responded to a “complaint of shooting in progress” at around 11.10pm local time on Tuesday (10.20pm BST).
No arrests have been made at this stage.
More details here...
