Police hunt suspects after 11 killed in KwaMakhutha

Police in KwaZulu-Natal have launched a man-hunt for suspects involved in the mass shooting that left 11 people dead in KwaMakutha.

It is reported that 14 people were inside the house in the Ziko area on Tuesday night when gunmen stormed the property and opened fire on them.

Police say some of the victims were on a wanted list, and the shooting could be drug-related.

Ten victims were killed at the scene, while four others were taken to hospital. One of the victims later succumbed to their injuries, bringing the death toll to 11.

A heavily pregnant woman was reportedly among those killed.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Thami Ntuli, has called on police to accelerate the search for the suspected killers, describing the shooting as deeply disturbing.

Ntuli has urged residents to report suspected drug activity and illegal possession of firearms in the community.

“I’m quite happy with the information that the police have briefed me about, that they’re following up on it. And it’s promising that we may see arrests, but we are sending our condolences to the families.”

“Because in a family, even if there are people who may be involved in wrongdoings, not everyone you will find is involved and losing a member of the family is always very painful to parents. It leaves the community to live in fear, because they don’t know who’s next.”

Acting National Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has directed the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner to immediately activate the 72-hour tracking operation to find the suspects.

“There is no place in our communities for the senseless taking of human lives. Police must act decisively, mobilise all available resources and pursue those responsible until they are brought before the courts. We are confident that investigators are following a promising lead which could assist in securing a breakthrough in this case.”

Police are appealing to community members to provide credible information that could help investigators identify and trace the suspects.

Residents say the community is devastated and struggling to come to terms with one of the deadliest attacks in the area.

I am in KwaMakhutha following the devastating shooting in the Ziko area that claimed the lives of 11 people and left three others injured.

My deepest condolences go to the families who have lost their loved ones. I have come to stand with the affected families and community, and… pic.twitter.com/RqOTIaUorU

— KZN PREMIER (@kznpremier) September 23, 2026

[Media Statement]
STATEMENT ON THE KILLING OF 11 PEOPLE IN KWAMAKHUTHA, DURBAN pic.twitter.com/scqUrPFyLZ

— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) September 23, 2026

EFF KWAZULU-NATAL CONDEMNS KWAMAKHUTHA MASS SHOOTING pic.twitter.com/9GWaM8pzme

— EFF KZN (@EFFKZN) September 23, 2026

South Africa Must Act
Eleven people killed in a mass shooting in KwaMakhutha, KZN. Three others were wounded.
South Africa must face its demons.
Gun violence cannot be treated as another grim statistic. The country needs sustained action against the illegal flow of firearms,… pic.twitter.com/xtSsqoxvRn

— Onie (@Onie90396982) September 23, 2026