Africa-Press. Several people were killed and others injured in an armed attack targeting the “Gambers” informal settlement in the Cleveland area east of Johannesburg, marking one of the deadliest mass shooting incidents in South Africa this year.
South African police reported that more than ten armed individuals carried out the attack after arriving in a Toyota Quantum vehicle, entering the area from two different directions before opening fire on residents at multiple locations and fleeing the scene.
Authorities stated that eight men and three women died at the attack site, while another person later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. Nine injured individuals were transported to medical centers for treatment.
The police announced a large-scale manhunt for those involved, while forensic and investigative teams began collecting evidence from the crime scene. No arrests have been made so far, and authorities have not determined the motive behind the attack.
The Cleveland area is located near several regions known for illegal mining activity and criminal gangs, but police have not officially linked the attack to any specific criminal activity.
South Africa faces high levels of crime and is among the countries with the highest murder rates in the world. According to official data, the country averages around 60 murders daily, while recent years have seen a series of mass shooting incidents related to gangs, organized crime, and local disputes.
The attack highlights the security challenges facing the South African government, particularly in impoverished urban areas and informal settlements. It also increases pressure on security authorities, who face ongoing criticism regarding the proliferation of illegal firearms and the growing influence of criminal networks in several major cities.
