Eleven killed in mass shooting in KwaMakhutha township, South Africa

At least 11 people have been killed in a mass shooting in a residential building near Durban, South Africa. Gunmen stormed a house in the KwaMakhutha township late on Tuesday and opened fire on 14 people. Ten were killed at the scene, and four were taken to hospital, where one later died from their injuries, according to police reports. Some victims were reportedly under police watch for illegal activities, although police did not disclose details to protect ongoing investigations. The motive for the shooting has not been confirmed, but police have not ruled out a feud between rival groups. According to police, 13 men and one woman, who is believed to be pregnant, were having a party inside the house when three men arrived and opened fire. The woman is among those who died. A local TV reporter from eNCA stated that the gunmen set fire to a vehicle belonging to one of the victims before fleeing, with footage showing the burnt-out car. The police have launched a manhunt for the suspects. South Africa has one of the world's highest murder rates, with police data indicating more than 60 murders per day. Recent weeks have seen heightened fears due to the discovery of at least nine murdered women, with some bodies dumped by the roadside. In 2022, nine people were killed in a mass shooting at a tavern in Johannesburg. Rivalry among criminal gangs, often related to turf wars, drug trafficking, and illegal mining, is common in the country. In February, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that organized crime posed the most immediate threat to democracy and economic development, announcing plans to deploy the army to support police efforts.