• At least 11 people, including a pregnant woman, were killed during a mass shooting at a house party in Durban.
• The attack occurred late at night in KwaMakhutha township when three gunmen opened fire on guests.
• Authorities report some victims were known to police and investigations into illegal activities are ongoing.

In a tragic incident in KwaMakhutha township, located approximately 30 kilometers south of Durban, South Africa, at least 11 individuals were killed after gunmen stormed a house party late Tuesday night. Among the victims was a pregnant woman. The shooting left three others wounded, with initial reports stating that ten were pronounced dead at the scene, while one succumbed to injuries at a hospital, according to Indiatimes and Africanews.

The attackers reportedly entered the residence shortly before 11 PM local time and opened fire on attendees, some of whom were known to authorities over previous investigations into illegal activities. Police have not ruled out the possibility that the incident could be linked to rival gang activity. “Although the motive of the shooting cannot be confirmed yet, a feud between rival groupings cannot be ruled out,” police noted, as shared by BBC and South China Morning Post.

Local residents expressed their shock and grief in the wake of the shooting, which has exacerbated existing fears surrounding violence in South Africa. The premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thami Ntuli, emphasized that the incident has left the community in “profound shock and grief” and called for increased efforts to address the rampant crime in the area, citing issues related to illegal firearms and drug dealing, as reported by Le Monde and Los Angeles Times.

The police have initiated a 72-hour operation to locate the three assailants, with no arrests reported thus far. Eyewitness testimonies revealed that the guests had initially gathered outside the house before going inside as night fell, at which point they were confronted by the gunmen. In a chilling account, one community member recalled that the victims were caught off guard when they opened the door only to be met with gunfire, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.