One of the survivors of the deadly Jumpers Informal Settlement mass shooting in Cleveland, Johannesburg, says it is a miracle he is still alive after gunmen opened fire indiscriminately on residents.
Twelve people were killed and 10 others injured on Tuesday night when unknown gunmen allegedly arrived in a kombi taxi before launching the brutal attack.
While several victims remain in hospital, survivor Rafiq Olees has since been discharged after being shot in the leg.
The Malawian national told Newsnote he survived by pretending to be dead as bodies fell around him.
“I was chilling with the boys when I saw men approaching with guns. They started shooting. I was hit in the leg and fell down,” he said.
“I pretended to have died as other people who were shot fell on top of me. That’s how I survived.”
Residents who witnessed the attack described scenes of terror and panic.
One eyewitness, who asked not to be identified, said he initially mistook the gunshots for fireworks.
“I was in the toilet when it happened. I heard gunshots and thought it was firecrackers, but then the shooting continued,” he said.
“I ran into my house thinking I might die in the toilet. When I got inside, my two children asked what was happening and I told them to lie on the floor.”
Another resident claimed the shooting could be linked to illegal miners operating in nearby informal settlements.
One woman said her brother was shot in the stomach and remains in hospital.
Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni has described the mass shooting as “heartless” and “barbaric”.
Speaking at the scene Mthombeni painted a grim picture of what police officers encountered upon arrival.
“Bodies remained on the scene. Many were inside one of the taverns. One lady died with a beer still in her hand. It was such a horrific scene,” he said.
According to Mthombeni, nine of the deceased are men while three are women. The injured victims are still receiving treatment in hospital.
Police have not ruled out the possibility that the attack may be linked to illegal mining activities, as Jumpers Informal Settlement is situated near several known illegal mining sites.
However, Mthombeni cautioned that it was still too early to draw conclusions.
“We are following all leads and investigations are ongoing,” he said.
Police have since deployed Crime Intelligence, tracker teams and crime scene management experts to investigate the massacre.
Authorities also discovered material believed to be used by zama-zamas, including sites where suspected illegal miners process extracted material.
Mthombeni further revealed that during recent police operations in the area, officers confiscated firearms and more than 1,000 rounds of AK-47 ammunition while several suspects were arrested.
Despite concerns over escalating illegal mining-related violence in Gauteng, Mthombeni rejected suggestions that police are losing the battle against zama-zama syndicates.
He said investigators have obtained footage that may help identify the suspects believed to have arrived at the settlement shortly before the shooting.
Meanwhile, three Gauteng MECs visited the area on Wednesday afternoon.
The delegation was led by Gauteng Health MEC Faith Mazibuko, who is serving as Acting Premier.
Government officials promised to install CCTV cameras in the area and pledged to relocate some residents living in temporary structures as part of interventions aimed at improving safety and security.
Police investigations continue.
