At least 12 people were killed and nine others were injured on Tuesday evening when gunmen opened fire at the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg. Police announced the details of the late-night attack on Wednesday.
More than 10 suspects arrived at the community of tin shacks in a white Toyota Quantum minibus. The assailants entered the settlement from two access points and opened fire at multiple locations before fleeing in the same vehicle.
A manhunt is currently underway for the attackers, and no arrests have been made. While the motive for the attack is not yet known, investigators suspect it may be related to competition over illegal mining in the area.
The attack highlights ongoing violence in South Africa, which has one of the world's highest murder rates, averaging approximately 60 deaths a day.