At least 12 killed in mass shooting in South Africa's Johannesburg, police launch manhunt

Police said in a statement that they had launched a manhunt for more than 10 suspects following the attack at the Jumpers informal settlement.

Updated on: Jun 10, 2026, 12:17:18 IST

By HT News Desk

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At least 12 people were killed, and nine were injured on Tuesday evening when gunmen opened fire at an informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg, police said on Wednesday.

South Africa has one of the world's highest murder rates, averaging about 60 a day. (Representational)

Police said in a statement that they had launched a manhunt for more than 10 suspects following the attack at the Jumpers informal settlement, Reuters reported. Informal settlements in South Africa are unplanned residential areas composed mainly of shacks or similar structures.

The motive for the attack is not known yet, and an investigation has been launched.

Police officials quoted by Reuters said that the suspects arrived in a white Toyota Quantum, entered the settlement from two access points and opened fire at multiple locations before fleeing in the same vehicle.

According to Sky News, officers found several people with multiple gunshot wounds at the scene. Eight men and three women were declared dead there, with another man later succumbing to his injuries in the hospital.

The nine wounded victims were also taken in for medical treatment.

South Africa's mass shooting problem

South Africa has one of the world's highest murder rates, averaging about 60 a day. There have been several high-profile mass shootings in South Africa recently, including two in December that killed more than 20 people in total. One of those also involved multiple shooters.

The shootings are sometimes linked to illegal mining gangs that operate in and around Johannesburg. Cleveland is a suburb connected to illegal mining activity.

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