A mass shooting in KwaMakhutha, a township south of Durban, South Africa, has left 11 people dead and three injured. The shooting occurred on Tuesday night at a house in Ziko, where 13 men and one woman had gathered. Three gunmen allegedly opened fire on the group, killing ten people at the scene and injuring four others, one of whom later died at the hospital.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli visited the scene on Wednesday and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. He described the number of deaths as "disturbing" and said that the police were following up on information provided by the community. Ntuli also mentioned that residents had raised concerns about drugs and illegal firearms in the area, which the police would investigate.
The police have launched a 72-hour tracking operation to find the three suspects believed to be behind the attack. Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane directed the KZN police to activate the operation, which aims to gather intelligence and track down the suspects. The police are also investigating the motive behind the attack, which could be linked to a feud between rival groupings or the victims' involvement in illegal activities.
The victims, including a pregnant woman, came from different families and appeared to know one another. Ward 93 councillor Thabisile Zungu said the community was deeply affected by the deaths, particularly because young people were among the victims. Zungu urged residents to allow the police to investigate and warned against speculation about the motive behind the attack.
The ANC eThekwini Region and RISE Mzansi have condemned the killings and called for stronger action against illegal firearms and criminal networks. The parties urged law-enforcement agencies to act on intelligence reports and disrupt organised criminal networks operating in communities. They also called on residents to provide information to the police and support the investigation.
The KwaMakhutha shooting is the latest in a series of violent incidents in the area. On Monday, two schoolchildren were killed and three injured in a shooting in KwaMashu. The ANC has urged community members to work with the police and provide information that could assist the investigation. The police are urging anyone with information to contact them or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
The aftermath of the shooting is still visible in Ziko, with a burnt-out vehicle removed from the roadside and relatives of the dead washing away blood splattered at the property. The community is traumatised, and residents are living in fear, not knowing who could be targeted next. Ntuli has called for increased police visibility to reassure residents and restore a sense of safety in the area.
Key points
- The police are investigating the motive behind the attack, which could be linked to a feud between rival groupings or the victims' involvement in illegal activities.
- A 72-hour tracking operation has been launched to find the three suspects believed to be behind the attack.
- The community is traumatised, and residents are calling for increased police visibility to reassure them and restore a sense of safety in the area.
