Was Jumpers Informal Settlement in Cleveland a powder keg of illegal mining activity and violence waiting to explode into tragedy?
Just three weeks after police stormed the settlement, seizing more than 1 000 rounds of live ammunition and at least three firearms, 12 people were killed and several others injured in a mass shooting on Tuesday evening.
It is reported that at approximately 11:10pm, members of the South African Police Service (Saps) responded to a complaint of a shooting in progress at the informal settlement. Upon arrival, police found numerous victims who had sustained gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services were immediately summoned to the scene to assist the injured.
Speaking at the scene of the shooting on Wednesday, Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni said at least one rifle was used in the attack, but the motive was still unclear.
While it could not be confirmed, police are working on the assumption that it is linked to illegal mining and possible warring factions in the area.
“There are no positive leads as it’s too early. As you know, this area is just adjacent to the illegal mining area. However, we cannot confirm whether this incident was caused by illegal mining.
“We have those suspicions, but one can term this incident to be insane, to be heartless, to a certain extent, or, to a certain extent, it is barbaric.”
10 suspects were allegedly dropped off by a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station in Cleveland. They then allegedly entered the informal settlement through both entrances and moved through the area, opening fire on residents and community members at multiple locations. Nine men and three women were killed in the rain of bullets.
The alleged suspects fled the scene in the same vehicle, police said.
Mthombeni said police were still getting information from the garage on possible surveillance footage.
WATCH: Mthombeni speak on the shooting
Police operations in the area last month
Pointing to the volatility in the area, the commissioner said police were in the settlement three weeks ago, following up on an intelligence lead.
“We managed to recover more than 1 000 rounds of live ammunition for an AK47, and we ultimately made some arrests. I think it was three people who were arrested. We also recovered some firearms, I think, the pistol, it was, 3 as well.
“The other thing is that we know for a fact that this is an informal settlement, which is gated, of which we have raised a concern.
He dismissed concerns about the area not being under police surveillance, saying such shootings were “sporadic”.
