Eleven killed in mass shooting at house party in KwaMakhutha, South Africa

Eleven people have been killed and three injured after armed men opened fire on guests at a house party in KwaMakhutha township, south of Durban, police in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province have said.

At least three gunmen opened fire on guests at a house party inside a house in the Ziko area of the township on Tuesday night, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the provincial police spokesperson, said. The attack took place before 11pm local time (2100 GMT).

Fourteen people were inside the house — 13 men and a woman police believe was pregnant. Ten victims, including the woman, died at the scene; four were taken to hospital, where one later succumbed to gunshot injuries.

Police have launched a manhunt, with forensic teams combing the scene, and no arrests have been reported. EWN reported that police have identified persons of interest.

Netshiunda said some of the victims had been on Crime Intelligence’s radar in connection with alleged illegal activities, which police would not detail to protect the investigation. The motive has not been confirmed, though police said a feud between rival groupings could not be ruled out.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli is expected to visit the scene on Wednesday, according to TimesLIVE and EWN.

South Africa has one of the world’s highest murder rates, averaging about 60 a day, Reuters reported.

Sources

• Reuters (via The Straits Times): report of the KwaMakhutha shooting, 23 September 2026
• IOL, The Witness, EWN, TimesLIVE, SABC News: corroborating South African coverage, 22–23 September 2026