At least 11 people were killed and three others injured in a shooting in the Ziko area of KwaMakhutha, south of Durban, police said on Wednesday. The shooting took place on Tuesday night during what officers say was a party held inside a house.
Attack and immediate aftermath
SAPS in KwaZulu‑Natal said three men arrived at the premises and opened fire on a group of 13 men and a woman who was believed to be pregnant. According to the police statement, 10 people died at the scene and the remaining four were taken to hospital, where one later succumbed to gunshot wounds, bringing the death toll to 11. The three survivors are receiving medical care.
The incident has left residents of KwaMakhutha shaken. Local emergency services responded to the scene and SAPS has cordoned off the area as detectives and Crime Scene Management work to process evidence.
Police response and tracking operation
SAPS Acting National Commissioner Puleng Dimpane ordered an immediate activation of a 72‑hour tracking operation to locate and arrest those responsible. The province’s police statement urged officers to mobilise all available resources to pursue the suspects.
"Police must act decisively, mobilize all available resources and pursue those responsible until they are brought before the courts," Dimpane said in a statement.
Investigators have not yet confirmed a motive for the attack. Preliminary enquiries indicate that some of the victims were on the radar of SAPS’s Crime Intelligence Division for alleged links to illegal activities, but authorities did not provide further detail.
Casualties and known facts
At this stage police have disclosed the following verified figures:
- 11 people killed (10 at the scene, one died later in hospital)
- 3 people injured and hospitalised
- Attack took place in the Ziko area of the KwaMakhutha township during a private gathering
- Three male suspects were reported to have opened fire
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Killed at scene | 10 |
| Died later in hospital | 1 |
| Injured (hospitalised) | 3 |
Community impact and concerns
KwaMakhutha, a township with close ties to surrounding Durban suburbs and informal settlements, has been left reeling by the violence. Neighbours described scenes of chaos and grief as families gathered at the house and at the local clinic. Local leaders and residents have called for swift police action and improved safety measures while expressing concern about the possibility of retaliatory violence.
For many in the area, the attack raises renewed questions about illegal firearms, gang activity and the ability of law enforcement to prevent such incidents. Police have emphasised that enquiries remain ongoing and have appealed to anyone with information to come forward.
What police have asked from the public
SAPS has appealed for witnesses and anyone with footage or information to report to their nearest station or contact the provincial crime line. The 72‑hour tracking operation is intended to bring immediate pressure on suspected perpetrators; however, detectives warned that investigations into motive and wider networks could take longer.
Until more details are released by investigators, many questions remain about the circumstances surrounding the attack, the identities of the victims and whether the incident is connected to organised criminal networks in the region.
The police statement concluded that the motive for the shooting has yet to be confirmed and that investigations are ongoing. Further updates are expected as SAPS continues its tracking operation and forensic work in KwaMakhutha.
