Susanna Riva Late in the afternoon of Tuesday, September 23, 2026, the quiet residential area of KwaMakhutha , a township in the Durban metropolitan area, was the scene of a tragic shooting . A group of armed men sneaked into a house where a private party was taking place, opening fire on guests, and killing eleven people, including a pregnant woman.
Details of the attack and number of victims
According to provincial premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, the attackers entered the home shortly before 23:00 PM local time (21:00 GMT). At least eleven people were killed instantly, while two survived. Police reported that the attackers forced everyone into a single room before shooting indiscriminately and setting fire to a car belonging to one of the victims.
Testimonies from the scene of the events
A visibly shaken neighborhood resident commented on the incident, saying: “ It's shocking and sad. These are kids I've known since I was little. I can't believe it, it's like something out of a movie .” Another resident added: “ I've lived here all my life and I've never seen anything like this .”
The words of the witnesses underline the profound emotional shock that has hit the community.
Possible motives and preliminary investigations
Authorities have not yet provided a precise motive for the attack. However, initial police reports indicated that some of the people killed were already on the criminal intelligence watchlist for suspected illicit activity. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that the shooting was the result of a feud between rival criminal groups, a common occurrence in areas with high levels of gun trafficking.
Who are the attackers?
According to police sources cited by the Associated Press, three armed men fled the scene of the attack. Their identities have not yet been released, but law enforcement is trying to reconstruct the sequence of events to determine whether there was a hierarchical order or an impulsive response to a local dispute.
The context of armed violence in South Africa
The KwaMakhutha case is part of a broader pattern of criminal violence plaguing South Africa. With a population of approximately 62 million, the country records an average of 60 homicides a day . President Cyril Ramaphosa has repeatedly called crime one of the greatest threats to national security. Last March, the armed forces were deployed alongside the police in some high-tension areas to try to contain the wave of violence.
Over the past year, similar incidents have plagued major cities: in Johannesburg, twelve people were killed in a shooting in June, while two separate incidents in December left 21 victims dead. In the three months preceding the KwaMakhutha attack alone, 5.427 homicides were recorded , almost all of them firearm-related.
Reactions from provincial authorities
Prime Minister Ntuli condemned the violence, calling it "an event that has left the community in deep shock and grief." He also assured that police forces are intensifying their investigations and that additional security measures will be considered in the area, considered a hub for illegal arms dealing and trade. The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government's response includes strengthening night patrols and cooperating with national authorities to track down the criminal networks responsible.
Meanwhile, residents of KwaMakhutha are anxiously awaiting the results of the investigation, hoping that justice can be served for the victims and that violence will not return to claim more innocent lives.