11 killed in KwaMakhutha shooting as South Africa orders 72-hour manhunt
Synopsis
Eleven people — including a pregnant woman — were shot dead at a party in KwaMakhutha, KwaZulu-Natal, when three gunmen opened fire on a group of 14. South Africa's acting top cop has launched a 72-hour manhunt. Police say some victims were on a crime intelligence watchlist, but the motive remains unconfirmed.
Key Takeaways
11 people were killed and 3 injured in a shooting in KwaMakhutha, KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday night .
Three gunmen opened fire on 14 people — including a pregnant woman — gathered at a party inside a house in the Ziko area .
SAPS Acting National Commissioner Puleng Dimpane ordered an immediate 72-hour tracking operation to apprehend suspects.
Some victims were reportedly on the SAPS Crime Intelligence Division's radar for alleged links to illegal activities.
The motive for the attack has not been confirmed by authorities.
Eleven people were killed and three others injured in a mass shooting in the KwaMakhutha township of South Africa's southeastern KwaZulu-Natal Province on Tuesday night, according to the South African Police Service (SAPS). The attack, one of the deadliest single incidents in the province in recent months, has prompted an immediate national-level police response.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to a statement issued by SAPS, three men arrived at a house in the township's Ziko area and opened fire on a group of 13 men and a woman believed to be pregnant, who were reportedly gathered for a party inside. Ten people, including the woman, died at the scene. Four others were rushed to hospital, one of whom later succumbed to gunshot injuries, raising the confirmed death toll to 11.
Police Response and Manhunt
SAPS Acting National Commissioner Puleng Dimpane ordered an immediate activation of a 72-hour tracking operation to apprehend the suspects. 'Police must act decisively, mobilise all available resources and pursue those responsible until they are brought before the courts,' Dimpane said in an official statement. No arrests had been announced as of the latest reports.
Victims Linked to Intelligence Radar, Motive Unclear
Preliminary investigations have revealed that some of the victims were on the SAPS Crime Intelligence Division's radar over alleged connections to illegal activities, police said, without disclosing further details. The motive for the shooting has not been confirmed, authorities noted, urging caution against speculation.
Context: A Pattern of Gun Violence in KwaZulu-Natal
The attack adds to a troubling pattern of gun violence in KwaZulu-Natal. In April, two people were killed in a separate shooting incident in Durban in the same province, where emergency services found a man in his 30s with multiple gunshot wounds near Crescent Street close to East Street Park in the Overport area. A second victim in that incident also died upon arrival at hospital. Advanced Life Support (ALS) Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson noted that multiple bullet casings were recovered from the roadway and a passing motorist's vehicle was also damaged. KwaZulu-Natal has historically recorded elevated levels of gang-related and community violence, and Tuesday's mass shooting is expected to intensify pressure on provincial authorities to address the underlying drivers of organised crime in the region.
Point of View
Yet the absence of confirmed motive and suspects makes any rush to label this 'gang war' or 'targeted hit' premature. The 72-hour tracking operation is a standard crisis-response tool that has, in past incidents in the province, produced arrests without addressing root causes. South Africa's gun violence problem demands systemic accountability, not just reactive manhunts.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the KwaMakhutha shooting in South Africa?
Three gunmen entered a house in the Ziko area of KwaMakhutha, KwaZulu-Natal, and opened fire on 14 people at a party on Tuesday night, killing 11 and injuring 3. The victims included a woman believed to be pregnant.
What is the motive behind the KwaMakhutha shooting?
The motive has not been confirmed by police. However, preliminary investigations indicate some victims were on the SAPS Crime Intelligence Division's radar for alleged connections to illegal activities, though police have not disclosed further details.
What action has SAPS taken after the KwaMakhutha attack?
SAPS Acting National Commissioner Puleng Dimpane has ordered an immediate 72-hour tracking operation to locate and apprehend the suspects. No arrests had been reported at the time of latest updates.
How many people were killed and injured in the KwaMakhutha shooting?
Eleven people were killed — ten at the scene and one who later died in hospital — while three others sustained injuries. A total of 14 people were at the gathering when the attack occurred.
Is this shooting connected to a broader pattern of violence in KwaZulu-Natal?
KwaZulu-Natal has recorded multiple shooting incidents in recent months, including a separate attack in Durban in April that killed two people. The province has historically reported elevated levels of gang-related violence, and Tuesday's mass shooting is expected to increase pressure on authorities to act.
