(Photo: Emmanuel Croset/AFP)
The police deployed specialist resources after 12 people were killed in a mass shooting in Johannesburg on Tuesday evening.
Lt. Gen. Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane said the police are expanding the initial investigation that has already been launched by the Gauteng police.
According to her, members of the forensic service, tactical response teams and other specialized investigative units have now been involved in the investigation to track down and arrest those responsible for the attack as soon as possible.
According to Dimpane, a multidisciplinary task force consisting of provincial and national experts will “work day and night to follow up on all investigative and intelligence leads”.
The police investigation mainly revolves around the detection of the white Toyota Quantum which is believed to have been used in the attack.
Also read: 12 killed in Jhb mass shooting
(Photo: Emmanuel Croset/AFP)
Eight men and three women were pronounced dead at the scene on Tuesday evening, while a twelfth victim later died in hospital. At least nine other people were wounded in the attack.
According to the police, shortly before the shooting, a group of at least ten suspects were dropped off near a petrol station in Cleveland in a white Toyota Quantum near the scene. The group entered the informal settlement where they opened fire on residents in several places before fleeing in the same vehicle.
(Photo: Emmanuel Croset/AFP)
Lt. Gen. Tommy Mthombeni, Gauteng’s police commissioner, visited the scene on Wednesday.
He says the motive for the attack is still unknown and no arrests have been made.
“This attack is near an illegal mining area. We suspect that it may be related to that,” says Mthombeni.
“One could describe this incident as insane, callous and to some extent barbaric,” he said.