Five Ethiopian nationals killed in suspected targeted hits in Joburg CBD

— Five Ethiopian nationals shot dead in suspected targeted hits in the Johannesburg CBD

— Four of the killings happened within just 48 hours, raising alarm

— Experts say the attacks show clear signs of organised crime involvement

— Possible links to human trafficking, kidnapping and extortion under investigation

— Violent rivalry between criminal syndicates may be driving the killings

A series of killings of Ethiopian nationals in central Johannesburg has raised alarm over possible links to organised crime, with at least five victims shot dead in the past month.

Four of those killings happened within 48 hours, according to experts tracking transnational criminal networks.

Investigators are probing whether the attacks are linked to human trafficking, kidnapping or extortion syndicates operating in South Africa.

Hallmarks of organised crime

Crime analyst Julian Rademeyer said the method of killing points strongly to targeted hits.

“The way these hits were carried out… bears the hallmarks of organised crime,” he said.

In one incident captured on CCTV, a gunman forced his way through a crowd, approached the victim from behind, and fired a single shot to the head, followed by a second shot as the victim lay on the ground.

That killing was followed less than a day later by three more murders of Ethiopian nationals.

Another Ethiopian businessman was shot dead in a parking garage in the Johannesburg CBD last month.

Motive unclear, but links under scrutiny

The motive remains unclear, but investigators are considering several possibilities.

These include connections to an ongoing kidnapping case before the courts, as well as links to human trafficking and extortion networks.

Experts say the violence could also be the result of rivalry between competing criminal syndicates.

Human trafficking routes under spotlight

Authorities are also looking at the broader context of human smuggling and trafficking routes into South Africa.

Many Ethiopian nationals travel along a dangerous route through southern Africa, often paying thousands of dollars to brokers promising work opportunities.

But these journeys frequently turn into exploitation.

“It starts as human smuggling… but then coercion, violence and forced labour begin to emerge,” Rademeyer said.

Victims are sometimes held hostage for months while families are extorted for payment.

In some cases, mass kidnappings have been uncovered in Johannesburg, with victims found locked in houses.

Violent and competitive criminal networks

Experts warn that the human trafficking trade is highly lucrative and fiercely contested.

Multiple syndicates operate across the region, including networks originating in Ethiopia and refugee camps in neighbouring countries.

“There are quite a number of syndicates… smuggling huge numbers of people to South Africa,” Rademeyer said.

This competition can lead to violent clashes, including targeted killings.

Police facing major challenges

Law enforcement agencies face significant hurdles in tackling these crimes.

A lack of reliable crime intelligence and limited infiltration of syndicates are key obstacles.

In many cases, victims are only discovered after escaping or when residents and private security raise the alarm.

“We are simply operating blind,” Rademeyer said.

He added that the networks rely on local support, including assistance with money movement, documentation and corruption.

Some of the suspected hitmen in the recent killings are believed to be local or regional operatives.

Growing concern over organised crime

The recent killings have intensified concern about organised crime in Johannesburg and the broader risks posed by transnational networks.

Authorities have yet to confirm arrests linked to the latest shootings.

Related coverage on organised crime and targeted killings

— Organised crime fuelling surge in assassinations in South Africa

Experts warn that contract killings are becoming more common, with weak accountability and low conviction rates allowing syndicates to operate with ease.

— Brazen shootings in Johannesburg CBD raise safety fears

Multiple recent incidents, including fatal shootings in public spaces, highlight how gunmen are operating openly in busy urban areas.

— Human trafficking cases involving Ethiopian nationals in Joburg

Police have previously uncovered cases where Ethiopian nationals were held against their will in houses, pointing to organised trafficking networks.