According to the police statement more than 10 suspects were dropped off by a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station in Cleveland. The armed men entered the informal settlement through both entrances. They moved through the area opening fire on residents and community members at multiple locations. Then they fled the scene in the same vehicle.
Officers responded to a complaint of shooting in progress around 23:10 local time. Emergency medical services were deployed to treat the wounded. Eight men and three women died at the scene. Another man later died from his injuries in hospital. At least nine others were taken to various medical facilities for treatment of gunshot wounds.
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Police say the motive for the attack remains unknown and forms part of the ongoing investigation. South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world with roughly 60 people killed per day on average. Shootings in informal settlements are common and often linked to gang violence and personal disputes.
Last year nine people were killed in a mass shooting at a tavern in Johannesburg. There are about three million legally held firearms in the country and at least the same number of unlicensed weapons according to statistics cited by the South African Gunowners Association.
