The acting national commissioner of the South African Police Service has directed the deployment of additional specialised resources to investigate the mass shooting that left 12 people dead and nine others wounded in Cleveland, Johannesburg, on Tuesday night.

Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane ordered the deployment of members from Forensic Services, Tactical Response Teams and other specialised investigative resources to support provincial teams in identifying, tracing and apprehending those responsible for the attack at Jumpers Informal Settlement.

A multidisciplinary task team comprising provincial and national experts will work around the clock to pursue all investigative and intelligence leads, including tracing the white Toyota Quantum minibus allegedly linked to the incident.

The shooting took place shortly after 23:00 on Tuesday when more than 10 suspects arrived near a petrol station in Cleveland before entering the informal settlement through two access points. The attackers moved through the area, firing at residents at several locations before fleeing in the same vehicle.

Eight men and three women were declared dead at the scene, while an additional male victim died later in hospital. Nine other victims were transported to various medical facilities for treatment of gunshot wounds.

Dimpane praised the swift response by the Gauteng provincial commissioner and operational teams following the incident. “We have reinforced provincial efforts with additional national specialised resources to ensure that the investigation is expedited and that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice,” she said.

The acting national commissioner has conveyed her condolences to the families of the deceased and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

The motive for the attack remains unknown and forms part of the ongoing investigation. No arrests have been made.

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