What we know so far
Twelve people have been killed and nine others wounded in a mass shooting at an informal settlement in Johannesburg. The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the attack occurred at approximately 11:10 p.m. on Tuesday at Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, about six kilometres east of the city centre.
According to SAPS, more than 10 armed suspects were dropped off near a petrol station by a white Toyota Quantum van. The group entered the Jumpers settlement through both main entrances and moved through the area, opening fire on residents and community members at multiple locations before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle.
Eight adult men and three adult women were declared dead at the scene. A ninth victim, a male, died later in hospital. Nine other people sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to various medical facilities for treatment. Police have not yet made any arrests.
Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni indicated investigators are examining a possible connection to illegal mining operations, though he cautioned that investigations remain ongoing. “We are still investigating, but what we have seen here is a criminal act,” Mthombeni told media. “We have deployed all required units.”
Why it matters
The attack is among the deadliest mass shootings in Johannesburg in recent months, highlighting the ongoing threat of organised violence in the city’s informal settlements. The timing and method, along with the large number of attackers, suggest a coordinated operation rather than a spontaneous incident.
Informal settlements in the greater Johannesburg metro area house hundreds of thousands of residents, many of whom live without formal housing structures, reliable security, or access to police services. The Jumpers settlement in Cleveland is one of many sprawling communities across Gauteng that fall outside formal municipal jurisdiction, making residents particularly vulnerable to crime.
Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, Gauteng police spokesperson, said provincial and district detectives, supported by crime intelligence and forensic experts, have been mobilised to investigate the incident. “The motive for the attack is currently unknown and forms part of the ongoing investigation,” Nevhuhulwi said in a statement.
The attack occurs amid a surge in gang-related violence in Johannesburg, much of it centred on control of illegal mining operations. Criminal gangs operate in and around the city’s many abandoned mines, searching for leftover gold deposits for illicit sale. These operations frequently trigger violent turf wars between competing groups, with civilians often caught in the crossfire or deliberately targeted.
South Africa recorded more than 60 homicides per day on average in 2025. Mass shootings at bars, informal settlements, and other venues have become recurring occurrences, particularly in Gauteng province.
Key details and figures
The shooting occurred in Cleveland, a Johannesburg suburb roughly six kilometres east of the city centre. Cleveland and surrounding areas are home to multiple informal settlements, including Jumpers, where the attack took place.
The gunmen arrived in a white Toyota Quantum van and were dropped off near a petrol station before entering the settlement. The group split to enter through both entrances to the settlement, maximising the area covered during the shooting.
The victim toll: eight men and three women killed at the scene; one male victim died in hospital after being transported for emergency treatment. This brings the total confirmed death toll to 12. Nine additional victims were wounded and taken to medical facilities.
The attack happened at approximately 23:10 (11:10 p.m.) on the evening of 9 June 2026. Police received reports of a shooting in progress and responded immediately. Upon arrival, SAPS found multiple victims with gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services were called to assist.
Police Commissioner Mthombeni said investigators are examining whether the attack is linked to illegal mining activity. Johannesburg sits atop significant gold reserves, and abandoned mines across the metro area have become flashpoints for gang violence as competing groups seek to control underground mining operations. However, Mthombeni emphasised that no confirmed motive has been established and investigations are continuing.
What happens next
SAPS is conducting a manhunt for more than 10 suspects. No arrests have been made at this time. Police are appealing to the public for information and have urged residents to remain vigilant.
The investigation will likely focus on establishing the identity and motive of the attackers, determining whether the assault is connected to illegal mining or gang rivalry, and identifying the specific targets, if any, within the settlement. Forensic evidence and witness statements will be critical to the investigation.
Police Commissioner Mthombeni declined to link the killings definitively to illegal mining pending the completion of the investigation, saying the focus remains on apprehending those responsible. The case has been classified as a mass shooting and multiple homicide investigation.
The Gauteng Police Department has pledged to deploy additional resources to Cleveland and surrounding settlements to enhance security while investigations proceed. The incident will likely reignite calls for improved policing and security in informal settlements, where residents typically have minimal protection against organised crime.
