A mass shooting in Johannesburg claimed the lives of 12 people and injured nine others. The South African Police have issued an all-out search for the criminals. Johannesburg Mass Shooting, The mass shooting happened on Tuesday evening at Jumpers Informal Settlement in Cleveland, which is located to the east of Johannesburg.
The heavily armed shooters shot at the people at various places in the community before driving away from the scene. What caused this brutal act still has to be established; however, illegal mining operations in the region cannot be discounted as a factor.
What Happened?
According to the police statement, they were called to deal with a shooting incident that occurred at around 11:10 pm local time.
More than 10 men arrived in a white Toyota Quantum and entered the informal settlement from different entry points.
The gunmen then fired shots at various locations within the community before they escaped in the same car.
As per the police, the attack was heartless and barbaric in nature.
How many were killed?
The police have identified the death toll as 12 individuals.
Amongst them were:
- Eight men
- Three women
- One male who died in a hospital
Furthermore, a total of nine others sustained injuries from gunfire and were admitted to the hospital.
To date, the identity of the deceased persons has not been made public.
Can This Attack Have Anything To Do With Illegal Mining?
Without confirmation of a motive for the killing, the people living in the area suspect that the shooting may have something to do with clashes among groups engaged in illegal mining.
As mentioned before, the Jumpers Informal Settlement is situated near an area used for illegal mining activities. Addressing the press on-site, Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni stated that the suspicion cannot be discounted.
“You know, this place is right next to the illegal mining area, we are thinking of that possibility,” said Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni.
South Africa has witnessed growing violence related to illegal mining, especially near abandoned gold mines.
Police Commence Search Operation
The suspects who participated in the shooting are under pursuit at the moment.
According to police, the criminals attacked using firearms and seemed to coordinate their actions before and during the shooting.
The current investigations involve the collection of evidence, interviews with witnesses, and analysis of information that may be relevant to the identification of the criminals.
There are no arrests reported yet.
Violent Crime Gaining Ground in South Africa
The shooting incident has shed light on growing concerns about violence in South Africa.
The country still experiences one of the highest murder rates, and shootings are often associated with gangs, illegal mining, organized crime, or other personal disputes.
Recently, the government stepped up its campaigns against criminal organizations, deploying security units in regions where there are cases of illegal mining.
Conclusion
A series of mass shootings carried out in Johannesburg has claimed the lives of 12 people while injuring 9 others. The current police investigations are focusing on any possible link to the criminal activities in illegal mining sites.
At the moment, the motive for the shooting is still unknown, and the suspects are being sought by police.
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