Mass Shooting Horror: At Least 10 Gunned Down in KwaMakhuta, South of Durban

KWAMAKHUTA, South Africa — A brutal mass shooting claimed the lives of at least 11 people after unidentified gunmen stormed a residence in the Ziko area of KwaMakhuta, south of Durban, late on Tuesday night, September 22, 2026.

The terrifying attack unfolded around 11:00 p.m. local time as a group of roughly 14 people gathered inside the property for a house party. According to law enforcement, three heavily armed assailants suddenly entered the home and opened fire indiscriminately on those inside. Ten victims, including a pregnant woman, died at the scene, while another succumbed to gunshot injuries shortly after being rushed to the hospital. At least three other individuals were severely wounded in the hail of bullets.

Before fleeing into the night, the shooters set fire to a vehicle belonging to the homeowner parked on the premises. Emergency services and specialized police units—including the eThekwini District Tracing Team—scrambled to the property, cordoning off the residence as forensic teams combed the area for evidence and spent ballistics.

Top provincial leadership and police command have responded with high-level mobilization. KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli visited the site on Wednesday morning, extending condolences to grieving relatives and pledging full governmental support to the stunned community. Police management activated a 72-hour tracking operation to track down the fleeing suspects, noting that while the motive remains unknown, some victims were known to authorities as investigations continue.

The tragedy has sent waves of profound grief and anger throughout the local community, with traumatized neighbors voicing frustration over persistent gun violence in the province. Local leaders have called for urgent interventions to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms, demanding an increased police presence and dedicated task forces to restore a sense of safety to the area.

Community organizations and social workers have mobilized to offer trauma counseling to the surviving victims and bereaved families affected by the massacre. As law enforcement intensifies its manhunt, officials continue to urge anyone with information regarding the identity or whereabouts of the three gunmen to come forward anonymously via the SAPS Crime Stop hotline.