Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni is expected to visit the Cleveland informal settlement on Wednesday morning after a deadly mass shooting left 12 people dead and at least nine others wounded, prompting an intensive police manhunt for more than 10 suspected gunmen.
Mthombeni’s visit comes hours after the attack at the Jumpers Informal Settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg, where heavily armed suspects allegedly stormed the community and opened fire on residents in what police have described as a coordinated attack.
The commissioner is scheduled to visit the crime scene at 9:30 am near Hospital Street, close to the Astron Garage, where he is expected to receive a briefing from investigators and assess the situation on the ground.
The massacre unfolded at approximately 11:10 pm on Tuesday when members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) responded to reports of a shooting in progress.
Upon arrival, officers discovered multiple victims with gunshot wounds spread across different sections of the informal settlement.
Emergency medical personnel rushed to the scene, but many victims had already succumbed to their injuries.
Police confirmed that eight adult men and three adult women were declared dead at the scene. A twelfth victim, an adult male, later died in hospital after being transported for emergency treatment.
At least nine other victims survived the attack and were taken to various medical facilities for treatment.
The scale of the killings immediately triggered the mobilisation of provincial and district detectives, forensic specialists and crime intelligence officers.
According to preliminary investigations, the attackers arrived in a white Toyota Quantum before entering the settlement.
Police believe more than 10 suspects were dropped off near a petrol station in Cleveland and then split into groups.
The gunmen allegedly entered the informal settlement through separate access points before moving through the area and firing at residents and community members at multiple locations.
After carrying out the attack, the suspects reportedly fled in the same vehicle.
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said investigators are working around the clock to identify and locate those responsible.
“The motive for the attack is currently unknown and forms part of the ongoing investigation. Detectives, crime intelligence operatives and forensic experts have been deployed to ensure that all leads are followed and those responsible are brought to book,” she said.
The attack has left residents traumatised and searching for answers.
By Wednesday morning, police tape surrounded parts of the settlement while forensic teams combed the area for evidence. Community members gathered near the scene, many struggling to come to terms with the scale of the bloodshed.
Mthombeni’s visit is expected to reassure residents and demonstrate the seriousness with which police are treating the investigation.
The commissioner has previously vowed to intensify efforts against violent crime in Gauteng, particularly incidents involving organised groups and illegal firearms.
The Cleveland shooting is likely to renew concerns about recurring mass shootings in parts of Gauteng and the ability of law enforcement agencies to prevent such attacks before they occur.
While investigators have not yet established a motive, authorities are examining all possible angles, including criminal rivalries and other potential links.
No arrests had been made by Wednesday morning.
Police have appealed to anyone with information about the shooting, the suspects or the white Toyota Quantum allegedly used in the attack to come forward.
Members of the public can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit anonymous information through the MySAPS mobile application.
As Mthombeni prepares to visit the devastated community, investigators face mounting pressure to track down the gunmen responsible for one of Gauteng’s deadliest attacks this year and provide answers to families grieving the loss of 12 loved ones.
