Manhunt launched after 12 killed in ‘barbaric’ Johannesburg mass shooting
Updated . First published at
South African police have launched a manhunt for shooters described as “insane, heartless, barbaric”, after 12 people were killed and at least nine more injured in a mass shooting in Johannesburg.
Police said more than 10 people were dropped off at an informal settlement in Cleveland, in the city’s east, late on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning AEST) and opened fire on residents before fleeing in the same vehicle.
The South African Police Service is investigating. South African Police Service
On Wednesday morning (afternoon AEST), they announced a manhunt had been launched for those involved.
Police said more than 10 people travelling in a Toyota Quantum van were dropped off at a petrol station near the settlement.
“The suspects allegedly entered the informal settlement through both entrances and moved through the area, opening fire on residents and community members at multiple locations before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle,” police said in a statement.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni said police were following leads, including CCTV at the service station, but no arrests had been made.
“You could classify these people to be insane, heartless, barbaric,” he said.
“Because you could see the way they were moving, because when we try to account on what actually happened, you could see they entered in, start shooting, and then going forward, and at the end of the day, and then they were picked up.”
The South African Police Service said eight men and three women were declared dead in the Jumpers Informal Settlement and another man died in hospital.
The South African Police Service said eight men and three women were declared dead in the Jumpers Informal Settlement and another man died in hospital. Google Maps
Nine others were taken to various medical centres in the area with gunshot wounds.
Provincial and district detectives are investigating along with crime intelligence and forensic experts.
Mthombeni said it was too early to confirm whether the shooting was linked to illegal mining in the settlement and denied his police force had “lost the fight” against the practice.
“You have to take note that the crimes get committed within the community to a certain extent by the community,” he said.
“These collaborations, which we have with the community, is quite important.
“What I’m trying to say is that within the province we’re trying to work collectively with the communities, the community policing forum, the councillors as well.
“But to say total we are failing in terms of a fight against crime, it’s not a true fact.”
Crime statistics released on Tuesday showed a five per cent decrease in serious crimes, with a 15 per cent drop in murders.
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