Mass shooting in Cleveland’s Jumpers settlement leaves 12 dead; experts point to illegal mining disputes

Ten gunmen opened fire in Cleveland’s Jumpers informal settlement on Tuesday night, leaving 12 people dead and nine wounded in what police described as a coordinated attack.

What happened

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the firearms attack began when about ten gunmen entered the informal settlement and “started shooting at people randomly.” She said eight men and three women were declared dead at the scene, while “another man succumbed to his injuries in hospital.”

Nevhuhulwi said the attackers were dropped off by a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station, entered the settlement through both entrances, opened fire and then fled in the same vehicle.

Possible motive: illegal mining disputes

Although authorities have not established a motive, several experts told reporters the attack may be connected to violent disputes over illegal mining.

“The fight against illegal mining is not for the local police; the department of mineral resources and energy should be involved, together with the traditional leaders and community members,” said Maluleke, senior criminologist at the University of Limpopo.

Mike Bolhuis, an investigator specialising in serious violent, economic and cybercrime, said the shooting “seems to be linked to illegal mining squabbles” and argued that investigation focusing on the dead and injured should identify “who they are and who their enemies are.”

Willem Els, a crime expert, said it was still early to speculate but also expressed suspicion that illegal mining quarrels were involved, adding that better intelligence and infiltration of networks are needed to curb such crimes.

Calls to tackle illegal guns

Claire Taylor of Gun Free South Africa described the attack as “one of the worst mass shootings in recent years” and urged action to remove illegal firearms from the community. She said, “Mass shootings, like all shootings, would not be possible without guns.”

Next steps

Police said at least nine people were taken to various hospitals for treatment of gunshot wounds. Investigators have not publicly confirmed a motive and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.