At least 11 people including a woman believed to be pregnant were killed after three gunmen opened fire on a house party in South Africa's KwaMakhutha township as the police said on Wednesday.
The attack occurred late Tuesday night in the township located south of Durban. Fourteen guests 13 men and one woman were gathered inside the residential building when three armed assailants stormed in and opened fire. Ten victims died at the scene, while another succumbed to injuries in hospital. Three others remain hospitalized with gunshot wounds.
Before fleeing the scene attackers set fire to a vehicle belonging to one of the victims. Authorities have launched a manhunt for the three suspects but no arrests have been made.
While the official motive remains unconfirmed also the police noted that several victims were previously known to law enforcement in connection with illegal activities. Officers stated they cannot rule out a deadly feud between rival criminal gangs.
South Africa struggles with one of the world's highest murder rates with averaging more than 60 killings per day. Rising gang rivalries, turf wars and organized crime have fueled a wave of violent mass shootings across the country in recent months.
