Johannesburg: At least 12 people were killed, and nine others injured, after heavily armed gunmen opened fire in an informal settlement in Johannesburg, South Africa, in a late-night attack that has shocked the country and triggered a large-scale police investigation.

According to South African police, the shooting took place in the Cleveland area of Johannesburg on Tuesday night.

Preliminary investigations suggest that more than 10 suspects arrived near the settlement in a white Toyota Quantum vehicle before splitting up and entering the area through different access points.

The attackers allegedly moved through the settlement, firing at residents and community members at several locations. After carrying out the assault, the suspects fled the scene in the same vehicle, police said.

Emergency services and law enforcement personnel rushed to the area after receiving reports of an active shooting shortly after 11 pm local time.

Medical teams treated the wounded at the scene before transferring them to nearby hospitals.

Police confirmed that eight men and three women were pronounced dead at the settlement. Another victim later succumbed to injuries in hospital, taking the death toll to 12.

Authorities said at least nine people remain under medical care for gunshot wounds.

A manhunt has been launched to track down those responsible. Investigators are examining possible motives behind the attack, although police have not yet determined why the settlement was targeted.

Officials said all possibilities remain under consideration as detectives gather evidence and interview witnesses.

The incident has once again highlighted South Africa’s long-standing struggle with violent crime and gun-related violence.

The country records one of the highest homicide rates in the world, with an average of around 60 murders reported every day.

Informal settlements, where many residents live in densely populated conditions with limited security infrastructure, have frequently been the scene of deadly shootings.

Such attacks are often linked to gang rivalries, criminal disputes, vigilante violence or personal conflicts, although authorities have not connected the Cleveland shooting to any specific motive so far.

The latest tragedy follows several high-profile mass shootings recorded across South Africa in recent years.

In 2025, nine people were killed in a shooting at a tavern in Johannesburg, underscoring concerns about the ease with which firearms are used in violent crimes.

South Africa is estimated to have roughly three million legally owned firearms. Experts and gun-rights groups have also warned that millions of unlicensed weapons remain in circulation, contributing to the country’s persistent gun violence problem.

Police have appealed to members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist investigators as efforts continue to identify and arrest the suspects involved in the deadly attack.