MULTIPLE attackers killed 12 people and wounded at least nine in a late-night mass shooting in Johannesburg, police said today.

Officers said they believe more than 10 suspects were driven in a minibus to an informal settlement in the Cleveland suburb of the city late on Tuesday and opened fire on people.

According to a police statement, the attackers “moved through the area, opening fire on residents and community members at multiple locations before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle.”

Police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni said: “We are still investigating, but what we have seen here is a criminal act.

“We have deployed all required units,” he said, adding that crime intelligence officials have also been deployed to the area.

The victims were nine men and three women, according to police. Eleven died at the scene and another victim passed away in the hospital.

Police were searching for the attackers but no arrests had been made. 

The motive for the shooting remained unclear, they said.

Informal settlements in South Africa are unplanned residential areas usually made up of shacks or similar structures.

“Provincial and district detectives, supported by crime intelligence and forensic experts, have been mobilised to investigate the incident and track down the suspects,” said police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.