Gunmen have killed 11 people, including a pregnant woman, after storming a homestead in KwaMakhutha township, south of Durban, in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
According to Channels Television, the victims were gathered at a house shortly before 11pm on Tuesday when armed attackers reportedly entered the premises and opened fire.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli confirmed the incident, while police said three other people survived the attack.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear. Police said investigators were pursuing a promising lead that could help identify those responsible.
Local broadcaster eNCA reported that the attackers allegedly forced everyone into one room before shooting them. A car belonging to one of the victims was also reportedly set on fire.
Acting police chief Puleng Dimpane said a 72-hour tracking operation had been activated to locate and arrest the perpetrators.
> “There is no place in our communities for the senseless taking of human lives,” Dimpane said, adding that police would mobilise available resources to pursue those responsible.
The attack has left residents in shock, with one local resident telling eNCA that he had never witnessed anything similar in the area.
South Africa continues to record high levels of violent crime, with shootings frequently linked to gang rivalry and competition involving informal businesses. The country has also deployed soldiers to violence hotspots to support police efforts against crime.
The incident is under investigation.