KWAZULU-NATAL. — Eleven people have been killed and three others injured after armed suspects stormed a house in the Ziko area near KwaMakhutha, south of Durban, on Tuesday evening and opened fire on people inside the house. Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects, while a 72-hour search operation has been activated. Lt Gen Puleng Dimpane, the acting national police commissioner, says a promising lead is being investigated that could potentially lead to a breakthrough in the mass shooting investigation.
Col Robert Netshiunda, police spokesperson, says preliminary information suggests that thirteen men and a woman, who was reportedly pregnant, were holding a party in the house when three men arrived and opened fire. Ten victims were pronounced dead at the scene and four were taken to hospital, where one later succumbed to his gunshot wounds.
Preliminary investigative work has also revealed that some of the victims were on crime intelligence's radar in connection with alleged illegal activities. Police are unable to release details on this yet, as it could compromise the ongoing investigation. The motive has not yet been established, but conflict between rival groups cannot be ruled out.
Gen Dimpane expressed her concern over the loss of life and extended her condolences to the families of the deceased. She instructed police officials to mobilise all available resources to track down and arrest those responsible for the shooting. Police are appealing to community members with reliable information to contact them.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
