Johannesburg, South Africa (Running Africa) – South African police have launched a manhunt after a deadly mass shooting in Johannesburg left 12 people dead and nine others injured at the Jumpers Informal Settlement in Cleveland late Tuesday night.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), more than 10 heavily armed gunmen arrived in a white Toyota Quantum at around 23:10 local time before entering the settlement through multiple access points and opening fire at several locations.

Eight men and three women were killed at the scene, while a twelfth victim later died in hospital. The injured were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

Authorities say no arrests have been made and the motive behind the Johannesburg mass shooting remains under investigation. However, police have not ruled out possible links to illegal mining activity, with investigators exploring whether the attack was connected to ongoing turf wars between rival groups operating around abandoned gold mines in the area.

The incident adds to growing concerns over violent crime and gun violence in South Africa, which continues to record one of the world’s highest murder rates. Illegal mining-related violence has become an increasing security challenge in parts of Gauteng, particularly around disused mining sites where criminal groups compete for control of lucrative operations.

Police are urging anyone with information to come forward as efforts continue to track down those responsible for one of the deadliest shootings in Johannesburg this year.