KwaMakhutha Massacre Families Deny Victims Had Crime Links After 11 Killed
- Eleven people, including a pregnant woman, were shot dead when a gang stormed a KwaMakhutha residence on Tuesday night
- Families of the victims have pushed back against claims that those killed were connected to drug syndicates or criminal networks
- SAPS launched a 72-hour multi-disciplinary tracking operation to pursue the suspected perpetrators
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KWAZULU-NATAL — Families of the eleven people killed in a mass shooting in KwaMakhutha, south of Durban, have rejected suggestions that their loved ones were involved in organised crime or drug syndicates.
According to Eyewitness News, the massacre took place on 22 September 2026 when a group of heavily armed men, dressed in balaclavas and tactical vests, forced their way into a residential property and opened fire on fourteen people gathered inside. Eleven died at the scene, among them a heavily pregnant woman. Three others survived but sustained serious injuries.
Families reject crime allegations
One of the bereaved mothers, Nomusa Zulu, spoke out against accusations circulating about the victims' backgrounds. Zulu, who lost two sons in the attack, Sicelo and Mlungisi Zulu, said the pair had no involvement in local criminal activity. She described them as having been socialising with friends, sharing drinks, when the gunmen struck.
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Local residents have attributed the violence to ongoing drug-related rivalries in the area. KwaZulu-Natal police have acknowledged that some of the victims appeared on crime intelligence records, but investigators have not confirmed a definitive motive for the attack.
SAPS launches 72-hour hunt for suspects
In the wake of the killings, the South African Police Service activated a multi-disciplinary 72-hour tracking operation directed at locating and apprehending those responsible. Specialised investigative units have been deployed to scour the KwaMakhutha area, while provincial authorities have called on community members to come forward with any information that could assist the investigation. Officers are also cross-referencing community accounts against intelligence reports relating to gang activity in the township.
No arrests had been confirmed at the time of publication, and police continue to probe the circumstances that led to one of the deadliest single-incident attacks seen in the province in recent years. SAPS recently announced that a manhunt has been launched to locate the suspects.
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Cassper Nyovest reacts to mass shooting
In a related article, Briefly News reported on Cassper Nyovest’s reaction to the KwaMakhutha mass shooting in KwaZulu-Natal. The attack left at least 11 people dead, including a pregnant woman, while three others were wounded.
The victims were inside a residential property when armed men stormed the house shortly before 11 pm. Nyovest expressed his disbelief after SABC Morning Live reported the tragedy, prompting widespread concern among South Africans.
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Source: Briefly News
