JOHANNESBURGpokerdemo, Augpokerdemo. 18 (Xinhua) -- Six people were shot dead at an informal settlement in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, Saturday night, confirmed local police Sunday.

"Police in KwaZulu-Natal have launched a massive manhunt for suspects who shot and killed six men at an informal settlement in Section V6 in Umlazi on Saturday night," the provincial police said in a statement. "Reports indicate that three men were seated outside their rented accommodation consuming alcohol when unknown suspects arrived and opened fire at them. The suspects proceeded to the landlord's house where they shot him and another man who was also inside the house. The suspects also shot another man on the pathway. All six victims, aged between 20 and 40, were declared dead at the scene."

The motive of the killings is still unknown, according to the statement.

The police also appealed to the public to assist with information which could help them to apprehend the suspects.■