A mass shooting has various definitions, but is defined by South African police as an incident in which three or more people are shot with a firearm.
[1] Mass shootings in South Africa are mostly perpetrated by gangs, and are usually motivated by competition for turf and resources, as well as illegal mining.
[2][3] A disconnect between policing and the communities they service has been pointed out as a possible influencing factor,[2] as has the rate of certified firearm theft.
The South African National Defense Force was called in to assist the police in the search for suspects as they had escaped into the surrounding area following the incident.
[28] Seven suspects appeared before the Mount Ayliff Magistrates Court on charges relating to the incident on 28 December 2020.