At least 11 people were killed and three others wounded after three gunmen opened fire at a house party in South Africa’s KwaMakhutha township, police and local officials said.
The shooting happened late Tuesday in KwaMakhutha, about 30 kilometres south of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal province. A pregnant woman was among those killed.
Police said 10 victims died at the scene. A further victim later died in hospital after suffering gunshot wounds. Four people were initially taken to hospital, according to police.
The attackers remain at large, and police have launched a major search for the three suspects.
Police Investigate Possible Rival Feud
Authorities have not established a motive for the shooting. However, police said a conflict between rival groups could not be ruled out.
Some of the victims were reportedly known to crime intelligence officers because of investigations into suspected illegal activities. Police did not provide further details, saying additional information could affect their investigations.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli visited the scene and described the killings as deeply disturbing. He appealed to residents to share information that could help investigators identify and locate the attackers.
Police have ordered a special 72-hour operation to track down the suspects. Investigators are also examining whether a vehicle that was set on fire near the house was connected to the attack.
South Africa Faces Continued Gun Violence
The KwaMakhutha shooting is the latest in a series of deadly mass shootings reported in South Africa.
In June, multiple gunmen killed 12 people in a Johannesburg neighbourhood. Police linked that attack to criminal gangs. Two other mass shootings in December killed a combined 21 people.
South Africa continues to record one of the world’s highest murder rates. Official police figures cited in the latest reports recorded 5,427 homicides between April and June, equal to almost 60 killings a day.
Illegal firearms remain a major concern for South African authorities and crime experts. Shootings account for a significant share of killings across the country.
Army Supports Police in Crime Hotspots
The government has also used soldiers to support police operations in areas affected by serious violent crime.
President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised military deployments earlier this year in parts of the country, including areas around Johannesburg, Cape Town and the Eastern Cape. KwaZulu-Natal was not included in that deployment.
At the KwaMakhutha crime scene, forensic investigators examined the house while police secured the surrounding area. Bodies were taken away in forensic vehicles as investigators continued their work.
The search for the three suspects remains ongoing, while authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack.
