11 Killed, Including Pregnant Woman, in KwaMakhutha Mass Shooting Near Durban
KwaMakhutha, Durban, South Africa — September 23, 2026: At least 11 people, including a pregnant woman, were killed after unknown gunmen stormed a home and opened fire in the Ziko area of KwaMakhutha, south of Durban, on Tuesday night.
A total of 14 people were reportedly inside the house when the attackers entered shortly before 11pm and began shooting. Police said three people survived the attack with injuries, while 11 others died. Ten victims were pronounced dead at the scene and another died while being taken to hospital, according to eNCA.
Gunmen Stormed Home Late at Night
The victims were gathered together at a residential property in the Ziko area of KwaMakhutha when the gunmen arrived.
According to initial reports, the attackers entered the house and opened fire on the people inside before fleeing the area. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and investigators have not yet established why the group was targeted.
A pregnant woman was among those killed, making the incident particularly devastating for families and residents in the KwaMakhutha community.
Police Launch Manhunt
KwaMakhutha South African Police Service officers and the eThekwini District Tracing Team were deployed to the scene as investigators began collecting evidence and searching for those responsible.
Police are expected to intensify the investigation because of the scale of the attack. Reports indicate that the case could be escalated to a provincial investigative unit as authorities work to identify and locate the suspects.
No arrests had been publicly reported in the initial reports available Wednesday morning.
Motive Remains Unknown
Investigators have not yet confirmed whether the shooting was linked to gang activity, a personal dispute, criminal rivalry or another motive. Officials are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack as forensic and investigative work continues.
South African authorities have previously dealt with a number of mass shootings, but investigators have cautioned against drawing conclusions about the motive before evidence is established.
The latest reports say police were still combing the scene for clues and attempting to trace the attackers.
The shooting has left residents of KwaMakhutha shocked as families wait for further information about the victims and the investigation.
A local resident told eNCA that some of the victims were people he had known while growing up in the area. He described the incident as deeply shocking and said the victims' families were devastated.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli was expected to visit the area on Wednesday to assess the situation and meet law-enforcement officials, community representatives and affected families.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the KwaMakhutha shooting. Police will be looking for evidence that could identify the gunmen, establish how they reached the property and determine whether the victims were specifically targeted.
The identities of all the victims and further details about the injured survivors are expected to be released as authorities complete their investigations and notify families.
The KwaMakhutha shooting remains a developing story, and details may change as police release additional information.
FlashNews24 will continue to follow the investigation and provide updates as verified information becomes available.
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