More than 10 suspects are being pursued after a late-night attack near Johannesburg, police have said

A manhunt is underway in South Africa's Gauteng province for the gunmen who opened fire in a marginalized residential area, killing at least 12 and injuring nine others, South African Police Service (SAPS) wrote on X on Wednesday.

The attack took place late Tuesday night at Jumpers, an informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg.

According to investigators, officers responding to reports of shots fired shortly after 11 PM local time found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Eleven people - eight men and three women - were declared dead at the scene, while another male victim died after being hospitalized.

"At least nine other victims were transported to various medical facilities for treatment of gunshot wounds," authorities said.

Police believe more than 10 suspects were involved in the shooting. The gunmen allegedly arrived in a white Toyota Quantum minibus, entered the settlement through different access points, and moved through the area shooting residents at several locations before escaping in the same vehicle.

A large-scale manhunt is now underway, with detectives, forensic specialists and crime intelligence units deployed to track down those responsible. Authorities have not announced any arrests, and the motive behind the attack remains unclear as the investigation continues.

South Africa remains one of the world's most violent countries despite a recent decline in crime. SAPS data for October-December 2025 shows that 6,351 people were murdered nationwide during the three-month period, an average of nearly 70 killings per day.

In addition, Gauteng province, where the latest mass shooting occurred, accounted for the highest number of murders nationwide, with 1,536 killings reported during the three-month period.

The government has stepped up efforts to tackle crime in recent months. In February, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced increased spending on peace and security, with funding set to rise from 268.2 billion rand ($14 billion) in 2025/26 to 291.2 billion rand ($16 billion) by 2028/29.

READ MORE: South Africa boosts military and judiciary spending

In March, authorities also re-enlisted experienced retired detectives in a bid to strengthen investigative capacity and improve the country's ability to solve violent crimes.

(RT.com)