At least 11 people, including a pregnant woman, were killed after armed assailants opened fire at a house in a township near Durban, South Africa, on Wednesday. Two other people survived the attack.
According to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, the victims had gathered at a homestead shortly before 11 pm on Tuesday when armed attackers reportedly entered the premises and began shooting.
The motive behind the attack has not yet been established. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and are working to identify those responsible.
Local reports said the attackers allegedly forced the people inside the house into a single room before opening fire. A vehicle belonging to one of the victims was also reportedly set on fire.
The shooting has left the local community in shock. Residents described the incident as deeply disturbing, with some saying they had never witnessed such violence in the area before.
South Africa has long faced high levels of violent crime, with firearms frequently involved in shootings. Authorities have linked some violence to gang disputes, criminal networks and competition between informal businesses, although no such motive has been confirmed in this particular case.
The latest incident comes amid continuing concerns over violent crime across the country. South Africa has one of the highest murder rates globally, with dozens of people killed every day, according to official crime statistics and government assessments.
In March, soldiers were deployed to several areas experiencing high levels of violence to assist police operations. President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously described violent crime as one of the major threats facing the country.
The KwaZulu-Natal government has condemned the Durban-area shooting and expressed condolences to the families of those killed. Officials have also urged communities to cooperate with investigators as authorities work to establish the motive and track down the attackers.
Police are expected to examine evidence from the scene and gather information from survivors and witnesses as part of the investigation.
The attack has once again highlighted concerns over gun violence in South Africa, where illegal firearms and organised criminal activity remain significant challenges for law enforcement agencies.
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