Mass shootings in SA: Over 100 killed in a year of deadly attacks

At least 11 people were killed during a mass shooting on Tuesday night, after gunmen opened fire at a house party in KwaMakhutha, south of Durban.

The latest attack brings renewed attention to a string of high-casualty mass shootings across South Africa over the past year.

Police said three men entered a house in the Ziko area shortly before 23:00 and opened fire on 14 people. Ten victims, including a woman believed to be pregnant, died at the scene.

Four people were taken to hospital. One later died, while three others survived with injuries. No arrests had been made by Wednesday morning.

The motive for the attack has not yet been confirmed. However, SAPS said some of the victims were known to Crime Intelligence in connection with suspected illegal activities.

“Although the motive of the shooting cannot be confirmed yet, a feud between rival groupings cannot be ruled out,” police said.

Mass shooting attacks across South Africa

The KwaMakhutha shooting follows several other devastating attacks at taverns and residential properties that resulted in mass casualties.

In December, 12 people were killed and 13 injured when gunmen stormed an illegal tavern inside the Saulsville hostel in Pretoria.

Two weeks later, nine people were killed and 10 injured at a tavern in Bekkersdal. At the time, acting Gauteng Premier Jacob Mamabolo condemned the “escalation in mass shootings that have occurred in the province.”

In January, nine people were killed at a tavern in Marikana, Philippi East in Cape Town. Police and prosecutors later linked the case to alleged extortion.

Other high-casualty attacks occurred at a Bronkhorstspruit tavern, a house in Philippi East, a Mayville tavern in Durban and a residence in Kwadwesi, Gqeberha.

The incidents have also extended beyond taverns and homes.

In June, 13 people were eventually confirmed dead after gunmen opened fire across the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, Johannesburg. Fourteen others were injured.

Western Cape police have separately raised concern over repeated mass shootings in Cape Town, while authorities in other provinces have also warned about illegal firearms, organised crime and gang violence.

Schools and gang-related shootings

The past year has also seen deadly shootings that aren’t linked to taverns and residential properties.

In January, three teachers were killed and another wounded when a former deputy principal opened fire at Ntabankulu Primary School in the Eastern Cape.

Cape Town has also experienced numerous mass shootings that police have described as suspected gang-related attacks. These include repeated incidents and drive-by shootings in Philippi East, Delft, Khayelitsha, Langa and other Cape Flats communities.

The incidents do not share a single confirmed motive. Police investigations have variously examined extortion, gang conflict, illegal mining, taxi violence and other forms of organised crime.

Mass shootings with four or more fatalities: 23 September 2025 – 23 September 2026

DateLocationSettingKilledInjured5 Oct 2025Zithobeni, BronkhorstspruitTavern

5

617 Oct 2025Better Life, Philippi EastHouse

7

—1 Nov 2025Reiger Park, BoksburgDrive-by/residential area

6

36 Dec 2025Saulsville, PretoriaTavern/hostel

12

1321 Dec 2025BekkersdalTavern

9

1017 Jan 2026Marikana, Philippi EastTavern/shebeen

9

1+7 Mar 2026Marikana, Philippi EastResidential yard

4

115 Apr 2026DelftHouse

4

—16 May 2026Wesbank, Cape TownResidential area

4

11, 2, 30 May 2026Kanana, OrkneyTavern (multiple incidents)

9

10+6 Jun 2026Kwadwesi, GqeberhaHouse

4

29 Jun 2026Jumpers, ClevelandInformal settlement

13

148 Jul 2026Philippi EastResidential area

4

326 Jul 2026NY50, GugulethuHouse

5

126 Jul 2026Kayamandi, StellenboschResidential area

4

41 Aug 2026NyangaResidential area

4

—8 Aug 2026LangaHouse

5

—22 Sep 2026KwaMakhutha, DurbanHouse/house party

11

3