Eleven people have been killed and three others injured after gunmen stormed a house in KwaMakhutha, south of Durban, in a late-night mass shooting that has left the community in shock.
The attack happened shortly before 11pm on Tuesday, 22 September 2026. Initial reports indicate that 14 people were inside the property when the gunmen entered and opened fire.
Ten of the victims died at the scene, while another person died while being transported to hospital. Three survivors were injured and taken for medical treatment.
A pregnant woman is among those killed in the attack.
Gunmen storm home
According to the information available early on Wednesday morning, the victims had gathered inside a home when unidentified gunmen entered the property and began shooting.
The attackers reportedly fled after the shooting. A vehicle belonging to the homeowner was also set alight, adding another element to the violent attack.
The exact number of attackers, the type of firearms used and how they gained access to the property had not yet been confirmed by police at the time of publication.
Police have also not established whether the victims were specifically targeted or whether the shooting was linked to another criminal incident.
Police investigate motive
KwaMakhutha SAPS and the eThekwini District Tracing Team were at the scene as investigators began processing the property and searching for evidence.
Police have not yet confirmed a motive and no suspects had been publicly identified or arrested in the initial reports.
Authorities are expected to examine the crime scene, gather ballistic and forensic evidence and establish the movements of the victims and suspects before and after the shooting.
The motive remains one of the key unanswered questions in the investigation.
As this is a developing investigation, police have not publicly attributed the attack to a particular criminal group or confirmed any allegations about why the victims were targeted.
Community left traumatised
The scale of the attack has shocked residents in the KwaMakhutha community.
One resident who told eNCA that he knew some of the victims said he was struggling to comprehend what had happened.
“It’s shocking and sad. These are guys I grew up with. I can’t believe it. It’s like a movie,” the resident said.
He said the victims were believed to be in their mid-30s and described their families as devastated.
“Their families are distraught, as you can see. I’ve been staying here all my life, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said.
The comments underline the impact of the shooting beyond the immediate crime scene, with families now waiting for further information about their loved ones and authorities working to establish exactly what led to the attack.
KwaMakhutha has experienced previous shootings
The latest incident is not the first serious shooting reported in KwaMakhutha.
In January 2022, three men aged between 24 and 28 were killed and seven others injured in a separate shooting in the area. Police said at the time that a group of men were sitting under a tree when occupants of a passing vehicle opened fire on them. Murder and attempted-murder cases were opened, while the motive was still under investigation.
The latest attack, however, is significantly larger in scale, with 11 people confirmed dead and three others injured.
KwaMakhutha is located south of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal and forms part of the broader eThekwini area.
Premier expected to visit the area
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli is expected to visit the area on Wednesday to assess the situation and meet with law-enforcement officials, community representatives and affected families.
Provincial government spokesperson Lindelani Mbatha expressed condolences to those affected by the attack.
“The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. The incident has left the community in profound shock and grief,” Mbatha said.
The provincial government is expected to receive further briefings from law enforcement as investigators work to identify those responsible.
Investigation remains ongoing
At this stage, police have not confirmed arrests, the identities of the deceased or the identities of the suspects.
Investigators are expected to continue gathering evidence from the property and surrounding area while tracing possible suspects.
The circumstances surrounding the burning of the vehicle, the relationship between the victims and whether the victims knew their attackers will form part of the investigation.
The death toll currently stands at 11, with three people receiving medical treatment for their injuries.
The investigation remains active and further details are expected as police and other authorities provide updates.
