At least 12 people killed and several others injured at the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, Johannesburg after a group of gunmen opened fire in the community last night.

A late-night shooting rampage at an informal settlement in Cleveland, Johannesburg, left 12 people dead and at least nine wounded, prompting a massive police manhunt for the gunmen.

The mass murder at the Jumpers informal settlement occurred shortly after 23:00 on Tuesday.

According to police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, officers responded to reports of a shooting in progress at approximately 23:10.

Police said the attackers arrived in a taxi.

“It is alleged that more than 10 suspects were dropped off by a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station in Cleveland. The suspects allegedly entered the informal settlement through both entrances and moved through the area, opening fire on residents and community members at multiple locations before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle,” Sibeko said.

Preliminary investigations indicate that eight men and three women were declared dead at the scene, and that a man died in hospital.

At least nine others were rushed to various medical facilities for treatment.

Provincial and district detectives, assisted by Crime Intelligence officers and forensic experts, have been deployed to investigate the massacre and track down the perpetrators.

“The motive for the attack is currently unknown and forms part of the ongoing investigation. No arrests have been made at this stage,” Sibeko said.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated with further information from the police.