South African police have launched a manhunt after 12 people were killed in a mass shooting in Johannesburg on Thursday evening. The incident, which occurred in a residential area of the city’s southern suburbs, is believed to be the deadliest single attack in the country in recent years. The UK has offered forensic assistance, underscoring the international dimension of the investigation.
The shooting took place at around 8pm local time in the township of Soweto, a densely populated area west of Johannesburg. According to preliminary police reports, a group of armed men entered a block of flats and opened fire on residents, killing 12 and injuring several others. The motive remains unclear, but police have not ruled out a connection to gang violence, which is endemic in parts of the city.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the attack as a “senseless act of violence” and pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice. The UK’s offer of forensic support, transmitted through the British High Commission in Pretoria, was accepted by South African authorities. The assistance is expected to include technical expertise in crime scene analysis and evidence processing, drawing on UK experience from similar incidents.
The shooting comes at a time of heightened concern over violent crime in South Africa. The country recorded over 20,000 murders in 2023, one of the highest rates globally. Johannesburg, as the economic hub, has been particularly affected by turf wars between criminal syndicates controlling illegal mining, drug trafficking, and extortion rings.
Community leaders in Soweto have called for increased police patrols and improved intelligence-led operations to prevent further bloodshed. The police have urged residents to come forward with any information, emphasising that the perpetrators remain at large and may pose an ongoing threat.
The UK’s involvement, while symbolic in scale, reflects a pattern of bilateral cooperation on security matters between London and Pretoria. The two countries share intelligence on organised crime and have a mutual legal assistance treaty. This incident is likely to strengthen calls for closer collaboration, though South Africa has historically been wary of foreign interference in its internal affairs.
Forensic teams are expected to arrive in Johannesburg within 48 hours to begin work alongside South African specialists. The investigation will focus on ballistic evidence, CCTV footage, and witness accounts. Police have not disclosed whether any arrests have been made.
For the residents of Soweto, the shooting is a grim reminder of the fragility of safety in parts of the city. The attack has shattered the uneasy calm that had settled over the area after a series of police raids last year. As the manhunt continues, the eyes of both nations are on Johannesburg.
