11 KILLED IN SOUTH AFRICA HOUSE PARTY MASS SHOOTING AS POLICE HUNT GUNMEN
Eleven people, including a woman believed to be pregnant, have been killed after three gunmen opened fire on guests at a house party in KwaMakhutha, south of Durban. Three others were wounded as police launched a major manhunt for the attackers.
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA — Eleven people have been killed and three others wounded after gunmen stormed a house party in KwaMakhutha, south of Durban, and opened fire on those inside, South African police said Wednesday.
The shooting happened late Tuesday night in the Ziko area of KwaMakhutha in KwaZulu-Natal province, about 30 kilometres south of Durban.
Police said 14 people, 13 men and one woman believed to be pregnant, were gathered inside the house when three armed men arrived and opened fire.
Ten people, including the woman, died at the scene.
Four others were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds, where one later died, bringing the death toll to 11. Three people remain wounded.
Authorities have launched a 72-hour operation to track down those responsible for one of South Africa's latest mass shootings.
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane directed KwaZulu-Natal police to mobilise resources to pursue the attackers.
Police said investigators were following a potentially significant lead but had not announced any arrests as of Wednesday morning.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear.
Preliminary investigations found that some of those targeted were known to Crime Intelligence in connection with alleged illegal activities, according to police. Authorities have not provided further details, saying disclosure could compromise the investigation.
Police said investigators had not ruled out the possibility that a feud between rival groups may have played a role, but stressed that a motive had not yet been established.
The shooting has renewed attention on South Africa's struggle with violent crime and gun related killings.
South Africa has one of the world's highest homicide rates, with roughly 60 people killed each day in a country of about 62 million people.
Mass shootings have repeatedly affected communities across the country, with authorities linking some previous attacks to gang rivalries, organised crime and disputes involving informal businesses. The circumstances behind Tuesday's attack, however, remain under investigation.
KwaZulu-Natal authorities have condemned the killings as police continue searching for the gunmen.
Investigators remained at the scene Wednesday gathering evidence and attempting to establish why the group was targeted.
The attack has left the KwaMakhutha community in shock as families await further information about the investigation and the search for those responsible.
