At least 11 killed in shooting at house party near Durban

Thursday 24 September 2026 - 09:09

By: Azzat Manal

At least 11 killed in shooting at house party near Durban

At least 11 people were killed and three others injured after three armed men opened fire during a house party in KwaMakhutha township, about 30 kilometres south of Durban, South Africa, police said. The attack took place late Tuesday night, sending investigators on a manhunt for the suspected gunmen.

According to police, 14 people were inside the house when the attackers arrived and began shooting. Ten victims, including a woman believed to have been pregnant, died at the scene, while another victim later succumbed to gunshot wounds after being taken to hospital. Authorities have not provided detailed information about the condition of the three survivors.

The motive remains unclear. South African police said they could not yet confirm why the attackers targeted the gathering, although they were investigating the possibility of a dispute between rival groups. Several of the victims were reportedly known to crime intelligence authorities in connection with investigations into suspected illegal activities, but police have not disclosed further details.

Investigators have launched an operation to identify and locate the three suspects, with no arrests reported at the time of the latest police statements. The area around the house was sealed off while forensic teams examined the scene and collected evidence. Authorities are also investigating whether a vehicle that was set on fire nearby was connected to the shooting.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli visited the area and called for information that could help investigators identify those responsible. The incident has also renewed attention on violent crime in the province, where authorities have been discussing measures to address killings and other forms of serious crime.

The shooting adds to a series of deadly attacks involving firearms in South Africa. In June, 12 people were killed in a shooting in a Johannesburg township, while two separate mass shootings in December left 21 people dead.

South Africa continues to record high levels of violent crime. Police statistics cited by the Associated Press showed 5,427 homicides during the three-month period from April to June 2026, equivalent to almost 60 killings per day. Illegal firearms and organized criminal activity remain among the issues frequently examined by authorities when investigating violent incidents.

The KwaMakhutha investigation remains ongoing as police work to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack, identify the suspects and determine the motive behind the killings. Authorities have urged anyone with relevant information to assist the investigation.