At least 11 individuals, including a woman believed to be pregnant, were killed when three gunmen opened fire at a house party in KwaMakhutha township, near Durban, South Africa.
The assault took place late Tuesday night in the township, located roughly 30 kilometers south of Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal province.
Police reported that the three assailants entered the home where the gathering was happening and began shooting.
Ten individuals died on the spot, and an 11th succumbed to injuries at the hospital. Three additional people sustained injuries during the attack.
Authorities are actively pursuing the three gunmen, but no arrests had been made by Wednesday.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, though police indicated that a confrontation between rival groups could be a possibility.
Some victims were under police scrutiny due to their links with criminal investigations. Further details were withheld to avoid jeopardizing ongoing inquiries.
Among the victims was a woman believed to be pregnant.
The incident occurred inside a small dwelling hosting a private event. In the aftermath, bodies of some victims were covered with white sheets outside while forensic teams examined the site. Police secured the area as they searched for clues.
In addition, authorities are investigating if a vehicle set ablaze nearby is related to the shooting. It remains unknown who ignited the car or its connection to the incident. Investigators will probe evidence from the scene while the hunt for suspects continues.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli visited the location, voicing concern over the recent outbreak of violence. Ntuli affirmed that the provincial government would continue efforts to tackle regional violence.
This shooting is one in a series of mass shootings in South Africa. In June, multiple killers claimed 12 lives in a Johannesburg district, and 21 people died in two separate incidents in December.
South Africa faces persistent violent crime issues, with illegal firearms often cited as a significant problem by police and security experts.
The probe into the KwaMakhutha shooting is ongoing as police work to apprehend the three suspects.
Source Africanews
