Witnesses and CCTV help police narrow hunt after Cleveland mass shooting

Gauteng police say witness statements and CCTV footage have produced fresh leads in the investigation into the mass shooting at the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, Johannesburg. The attack on Tuesday night left 12 people dead and 15 injured.

Statements from survivors and community members

Gauteng provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Tommy Mthombeni confirmed that investigators have taken statements from at least 10 survivors of the shooting and have secured additional information from community members.

“We managed to obtain no fewer than 10 statements. Some members of the community have shown a willingness to assist the South African Police Service.”

Mthombeni said provincial crime intelligence officers worked through the night and had generated leads that he described as promising. “From a crime detection perspective, investigations are progressing well,” he said.

CCTV and technology helping the probe

Police officials said they had obtained CCTV footage and were engaging with custodians of that material to gain access.

“We are making use of available technology, including CCTV cameras. We have engaged with the custodians of the footage and have reached agreements regarding access to the material,”

What happened and the response

Police responded to reports of a shooting in progress at the informal settlement at approximately 11:10pm on Tuesday. On arrival, officers found numerous victims with gunshot wounds and summoned Emergency Medical Services.

Preliminary investigations showed 12 people died as a result of the attack. Eight adult men and three adult women were declared dead at the scene, and another man later died in hospital. The number of people hospitalised stands at 15.

Gauteng police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said more than 10 suspects were allegedly dropped off near a petrol station in Cleveland by a white Toyota Quantum. The suspects are accused of entering the settlement through both entrances, opening fire at multiple locations, then fleeing in the same vehicle. A manhunt for the suspects is under way.

City action and context

City of Johannesburg MMC for Human Settlements Mlungisi Mabaso said efforts to formalise the settlement were already under way before the shooting, including demolitions of structures described as being used by illegal miners and undocumented foreign nationals.

“We are formalising this informal settlement and installing services. Work began late last year in collaboration with the Cleveland police station,”

Mabaso detailed plans the city is exploring to improve safety, including electrification, decongestion, resident verification and potentially installing solar-powered high-mast lighting with surveillance cameras to assist police monitoring.

He said city officials involved in the formalisation work have received threats and that illegal landlords and criminal elements have resisted interventions. Mabaso said the city would continue removing structures used for criminal activity and pushing illegal mining operations out of the area.

Investigation ongoing

Authorities said the death toll and injury numbers reflect preliminary investigation findings. Police continue to process crime scenes, follow leads generated from witness statements and CCTV, and pursue the suspects believed to be responsible for the attack.