Durban mass shooting: Families identify 11 victims after deadly KwaMakhutha attack

• Loved ones gathered to identify bodies after unknown gunmen opened fire on a group of 14 people gathered inside a home in KwaMakhutha on Tuesday night
• A pregnant woman was among the 11 people killed in the attack, with three others wounded
• KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli condemned the violence as police work to establish a motive and identify those responsible

KWAMAKHUTHA — Grieving families gathered in KwaMakhutha, south of Durban, on Wednesday to identify loved ones killed in a mass shooting that claimed 11 lives the night before.

The attack occurred on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, when unknown gunmen forced their way into a house where 14 people had assembled and opened fire indiscriminately. Three survivors sustained wounds. Among those killed was a pregnant woman.

Families forced to identify the dead

The deceased were reportedly laid out in white body bags with their faces visible, allowing community members to identify sons, daughters, neighbours and friends.

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According to EWN, Nomusa Zulu was one of those compelled to identify her own children. She confirmed that both her sons, Scelo and Mlungisi Zulu, were among the dead. She described the loss as devastating, extending her pain to the other families affected by the tragedy.

Police have not yet established a motive for the attack and confirmed that investigations are ongoing.

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Drugs and turf wars suspected

Some community members have suggested that the shooting may be linked to drug trade rivalries and turf wars in the area. Nomusa Zulu, however, firmly rejected any suggestion that her sons had criminal ties.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli visited the area and acknowledged that residents had previously raised concerns about drug activity. He said law enforcement would follow up on information provided by the community during their investigation.

Ntuli also issued a strong condemnation of the violence, stating there was no place in society for such acts of brutality.

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Police are continuing to work to determine what triggered the attack and to identify the perpetrators responsible for one of the deadliest mass shootings to strike the province in recent months.

Dimpane weighs in on the mass shooting

Briefly News also reported that acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has commanded law enforcement units to execute an intensive 72-hour track-and-trace mission to capture the syndicate responsible for the execution-style murder of 11 individuals in KwaMakhutha. Dimpane's directive instructs specialised task teams to deploy all operational assets across KwaZulu-Natal to apprehend the assailants. SAPS said detective units are currently pursuing a vital lead aimed at cracking the case.

Source: Briefly News