GUNMEN KILL 11 IN MASS SHOOTING NEAR DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA

At least 11 people have died after gunmen opened fire on a house in KwaMakhutha, near Durban, South Africa, police said. Three men stormed the property late on Tuesday and shot at 14 people inside. Ten victims died at the scene, and four others were taken to hospital, where one later died from their injuries. Police said some of those targeted had been under observation over unspecified illegal activity, but declined to give further details to protect ongoing investigations. A manhunt has been launched for the suspects.

Police said the group inside the house, made up of 13 men and one woman believed to be pregnant, had reportedly been holding a party when the gunmen arrived. The woman was among those killed, police said. A television reporter at the scene said the attackers set fire to a vehicle belonging to one of the victims before fleeing, and footage showed the burnt-out car. Police said the motive has not been confirmed but that they could not rule out a "feud between rival groupings".

Police data suggests South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, equivalent to more than 60 deaths a day. The shooting follows weeks in which the discovery of at least nine murdered women, some found dumped by roadsides, has raised concern. Last year, nine people died in a mass shooting at a tavern in Johannesburg. Police say rivalry between criminal groups over turf, drug trafficking and illegal mining often drives violence in South African communities. In February, President Cyril Ramaphosa called organised crime "the most immediate threat to our democracy, our society and our economic development" and announced the army would be deployed to support police.