At least 12 people have lost their lives and nine others sustained injuries after heavily armed attackers launched a deadly assault on an informal settlement in the Cleveland area of Johannesburg.

According to police, more than 10 gunmen arrived in a white Toyota Quantum late Tuesday night before entering the settlement through different access routes and opening fire on residents at several locations.

Emergency responders and law enforcement officers were deployed to the scene following reports of gunfire. Eleven victims—comprising eight men and three women—were declared dead at the scene, while another later succumbed to injuries in hospital.

The injured victims were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment as authorities launched a large-scale investigation and manhunt to identify and apprehend those responsible.

Police said the attackers fled the area immediately after the shooting, and no arrests have been made so far. Investigators are yet to establish a motive for the attack.

The incident adds to ongoing concerns over violent crime in South Africa, where mass shootings in informal settlements have frequently been linked to gang violence, organised crime networks, or local disputes. Authorities, however, have not indicated whether any of these factors played a role in the latest tragedy.

Security agencies have appealed to members of the public with relevant information to assist ongoing investigations as efforts continue to track down the suspects.