Manhunt under way in South Africa after 12 killed in mass shooting in Johannesburg

Another nine people were injured at an informal settlement in Cleveland late on Tuesday. South Africa mass shooting: 12 killed in Johannesburg as manhunt under way Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Police say they have launched a manhunt for suspects (stock image) Stock image of South Africa police service cordon Manhunt under way in South Africa after 12 killed in mass shooting in Johannesburg At least 12 people have been killed in a mass shooting in an area of Johannesburg, police in South Africa say. They say another nine people were injured in the attack at an informal settlement in Cleveland late on Tuesday, and a manhunt for suspects is under way. "It is alleged that more than 10 suspects were dropped off by a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station in Cleveland," the police said in a statement. "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," the statement added. South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, with around 60 people killed per day on average. Shootings in informal settlements are highly common in the country and are sometimes linked to gang violence and personal disputes. The local police department said its officers responded to a "complaint of shooting in progress" at about 23:10 local time on Tuesday (21:10 GMT). Emergency medical services were also deployed to treat the injured. Police said eight men and three women died at the scene, while an additional man died from his injuries in hospital. At least nine others were taken to various medical facilities for treatment of gunshot wounds. The police statement said that "the motive for the attack is currently unknown and forms part of the ongoing investigation". Last year, nine people were killed in a mass shooting at a tavern in Johannesburg. nine people were killed in a mass shooting at a tavern in Johannesburg. There are about three million legally held firearms in South Africa and at least the same number of unlicensed weapons, according to statistics cited by Gideon Joubert from the South African Gunowners' Association. A gun instruction workshop for the group Girls on Fire - South African South Africa's deadly love affair with guns The volunteer crime fighters using whistles, whips and guns Brothers Anele (left), who is carrying a rucksack, and Lifalethu Mbasana in their navy jumper and white shirt uniforms outside their school gate in Simon's Town. Incorporated into the the white-painted metal gate is a curved sign reading 'Simonstad Skool' Cape Town safety fears force parents to seek former white-only schools A worker holds a handful of gold bullion granules during manufacture at a plant in Germiston, South Africa, on 16 August 2017 Inside South Africa's 'ruthless' gang-controlled gold mines A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Morocco became Africa's first World Cup semi-finalists at Qatar 2022, but how close is a side from the continent to lifting the trophy? Malawi is among several African nations transporting their citizens out of the country following reports of violence against migrants. He made the announcements in a national address as tensions rise over anti-foreigner marches. Omar Artan was set to become the first Somali to referee a game at the World Cup finals, but his place in history has been denied by US immigration authorities. Protesters are concerned about cross-border infection risks and the lack of transparency from the government about the treatment centre. The decision weakens Rigathi Gachagua's bid for the presidency, although his lawyers have vowed to challenge the ruling. Activists allege there is a plan to build a car park on protected land belonging to a wildlife sanctuary. The group includes many women and children who were abducted in March from an area close to Cameroon.