At least 12 people were killed and nine others injured after gunmen opened fire at an informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg, South Africa.The South African Police Service said officers responded to reports of a shooting in progress late on Tuesday evening at around 11.10 pm at the Jumpers informal settlement, where they found multiple victims at different locations within the area.Eight men and three women were declared dead at the scene. One additional victim later died in hospital. The injured were taken for medical treatment, Reuters reported.Police said more than 10 suspects were allegedly dropped off near the settlement in a white Toyota Quantum vehicle. The attackers are reported to have entered through two access points and moved through the community, opening fire on residents before fleeing in the same vehicle.

"It is alleged that more than 10 suspects were dropped off by a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station in Cleveland," the police said in a statement.The motive for the attack remains unknown and no arrests have been made so far. Authorities have launched a manhunt and appealed for information from the public.South Africa continues to face high levels of violent crime, with one of the highest murder rates globally.