11 killed in mass shooting at South Africa house

At least 11 people have been killed in a mass shooting at a residential building in KwaMakhutha township, near Durban, South Africa.

Police said gunmen stormed the house late Tuesday and opened fire on 14 people. Ten victims were killed at the scene, while four others were taken to hospital. One of those injured later died.

According to police, some of the victims were known to them in connection with illegal activities, but they declined to provide further details, saying this could compromise the investigation.

The motive for the attack has not been established, although police said they could not rule out a possible “feud between rival groupings”.

“Information available at this stage suggests that 13 men and one woman, who is believed to be pregnant, were reportedly having a party inside a house when three men arrived and opened fire on them,” police said in a statement.

The woman was among those killed.

A local eNCA television reporter at the scene said the gunmen also set fire to a vehicle belonging to one of the victims before fleeing. Images from the scene showed the vehicle badly burnt.

Police said the suspects were armed with pistols and rifles and have launched a manhunt for them.

Rising concerns over violent crime

The shooting adds to concerns over violent crime in South Africa, which has one of the world’s highest murder rates.

Police statistics indicate that more than 60 people are killed each day in the country.

In recent weeks, the discovery of at least nine murdered women, some of whose bodies were dumped by roadsides, has further heightened concerns over violent crime.

Last year, nine people were killed in a mass shooting at a tavern in Johannesburg.

Criminal gang rivalry, turf wars, drug trafficking and illegal mining have also been linked to violent crime in parts of the country.

In February, President Cyril Ramaphosa described organised crime as “the most immediate threat to our democracy, our society and our economic development” and announced plans to deploy the military to support the police.

Mass shootings have become an increasing concern in a country that has long recorded a high murder rate, contributing to public fears about personal safety.

Authorities have faced calls to strengthen efforts to dismantle organised crime networks and investigate alleged contract killings linked to criminal groups.

Security experts have also pointed to the proliferation of illegal firearms, limited visible policing in high-crime areas and delays in the justice system as factors contributing to South Africa’s crime problem.

Concerns have also been raised over alleged links between some politicians, police officers and criminal networks, although such allegations vary by case and remain subject to investigation.

The police investigation into Tuesday’s shooting is continuing as authorities search for the suspects.