Police in Gauteng have launched a manhunt for approximately eight suspects following a mass shooting in Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg, on Saturday night, March 14, 2026. The incident left two people dead and six others injured with gunshot wounds.
According to Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili, officers responded to the scene around 22:30 where they found two victims already declared dead by paramedics. The six injured individuals were rushed to a local hospital for treatment.
Muridili stated that the shooting occurred during a social gathering in a yard or building when a group of about eight unknown men entered and opened fire randomly at those present before fleeing the scene on foot. No arrests have been made, and the motive remains under investigation as part of ongoing inquiries.
“Investigations are currently underway to determine the exact cause of what might have transpired,” Muridili said. She appealed to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information to contact the SAPS Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or submit tips anonymously via the MySAPS mobile application, available for download on smartphones.
Eldorado Park community leader Kester Fisher described the attack as seemingly random, noting that witnesses indicated the victims were not gang members. “It was random shooting. People who weren’t really part of anything… just in a block of flats where people came and opened fire,” Fisher said.
He expressed concern over the timing of the incident, which occurred in the same week as the deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops to the area and nearby communities like Riverlea and Westbury to support police efforts against gang violence and related crime. Fisher criticized the deployment as insufficient, stating that troops were only visibly present briefly earlier in the week and have not maintained a sustained presence.
“This is in the context of the recent deployment of members of the SANDF to communities including Eldorado Park,” Fisher noted. “It’s quite strange that in the very same week where our president has deployed the SANDF into our community to lead gang violence that something like this would happen… It really speaks to the fact that we need a permanent solution and not just a temporary solution.”
Fisher added that the brazen nature of the attack suggested a lack of fear among perpetrators despite the military presence, and he anticipated increased security measures in response to the shooting.
Eldorado Park has long been identified as a crime hotspot with challenges related to gang activity. Police have previously conducted operations in the area, including through the SAPS anti-gang unit, intervention teams, and local station efforts under operations such as Operation Salella, which have led to arrests and firearm recoveries in the past.
Authorities continue to search for the suspects and have reinforced resources in the area following the incident. The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any relevant information to aid the investigation.