In brief
A night of violence on Tuesday night turned a household in Durban’s KwaMakhutha township into a massacre site where gunmen stormed a party and opened fire, killing 10 residents on the spot and a 13th in hospital. Police suspect the attack may stem from a feud between rival groups, though investigations are ongoing. The incident underlines the high murder rate in South Africa—over 60 per day—while authorities launch a nationwide manhunt for the suspects. The tragedy also follows a string of violent crimes that have spurred public fear and calls for stronger law‑enforcement measures.
At least eleven people were killed when gunmen stormed a house in the KwaMakhutha township near Durban late on Tuesday, police said. The attack occurred while a group of about fourteen people were having a party inside the residence.
Police reports indicate that ten people died at the scene and four were taken to hospital. One of the hospitalized victims later succumbed to his injuries, bringing the death toll to eleven. A woman, believed to be pregnant, was among those killed.
The police remain uncertain about the motive, noting that the victims were possibly linked to an illegal activity. However, they have ruled out a feud between rival groupings but cannot rule it out completely. In a statement, police described the scene as “three men arrived and opened fire on them.”
Local media footage captured the gunmen setting a vehicle owned by one of the victims ablaze before fleeing the scene. An ensuing manhunt has been launched to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
South Africa’s murder rate currently ranks among the world’s highest, with police data showing roughly sixty deaths per day. In recent weeks, a string of brutal killings—including at least nine murdered women whose bodies were found along roadsides—has further amplified public fears.
In 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa classified organised crime as “the most immediate threat to our democracy, society and economic development,” pledging military support to bolster police efforts against violent gangs, drug trafficking and illegal mining that fuel such incidents.
