South African police confirmed that twelve people were killed in a late-night mass shooting in an informal settlement east of Johannesburg. The attack occurred before midnight on Tuesday in the Jumpers area, a shantytown situated near abandoned gold mines and active illegal mining operations.
Approximately ten attackers arrived by vehicle, entered through both settlement entrances, and opened fire on residents at multiple locations before fleeing. Victims included eight adult males and three females who died at the scene, with one additional person succumbing to injuries in hospital.
Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, provincial police commissioner, described the incident as barbaric and heartless. While no arrests have been made, authorities suspect the violence stems from competition over illegal mining rights. The area is known for "zama zamas"-clandestine artisanal miners-who frequently engage in organized crime and gang rivalry.
This tragedy follows a December shooting in Bekkersdal that left nine dead and underscores the severe security challenges facing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration. Soldiers were deployed to Johannesburg hotspots in March to support police efforts against rampant violent crime.