South Africa: Shooting results in multiple casualties in Pietermaritzburg early April 21

Event

A group of unidentified assailants shot and killed 10 people in the lower-income area of Imbali, around 5km (3 miles) southwest of central Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) reportedly around 04:00 April 21. The victims are reportedly all of the same family; casualty numbers may be adjusted in the coming hours. The motive for the attack is unclear.

There is no ongoing threat in the area. Police have deployed to Imbali and are investigating; localized transport disruptions are likely.

Context

Violent crime is a nationwide threat in South Africa, and mass shootings regularly occur. Incidents where three or more people were killed increased by 140% between 2019 and 2022. Data for 2022 shows that there were over 1,000 multiple-murder incidents, two of which resulted in over eight deaths. KZN is the epicenter of such crime, with 798 out of 2,430 deaths occurring in the province in 2022. The threat of violent crime is particularly high in informal settlements near major urban centers. The country has one of the highest murder rates in the world, due in part to the widespread presence of illegal weapons, the unreliability of police services, and socio-economic drivers of violence.

Advice

Exercise caution in high crime threat locations. Liaise with trusted contacts for updates before travel. Consider avoiding unnecessary travel in or near low-income areas at night. Ensure that personal safety, travel, and residential/business office security measures are regularly reviewed.