Ten people were shot dead “in four scenes” on Friday night, and another later died from gunshot wounds, Police Minister Fikile Mbulula said.
There have been no arrests.
The 11 victims were all men, aged between 25 and 40 years old, and were gunned down within an hour of each other, starting shortly after 7pm. Three others were wounded.
In the first incident, four men were shot dead inside a tavern.
The shooters then went to a house next door and opened fire on a group of four more men, killing them.
TERROR: Marikana informal settlement in Philippi
Two blocks away, the body of a security guard was found on the street. He had been shot twice.
And not far from him was another man’s body, riddled with bullets.
The tavern’s owner, who asked not to be identified, said she was doing the dishes when she heard gunshots.
“There must have been over 15 shots that rang out and I just hid under the table covering my head, praying that they don’t come over to me and shoot me,” she told the Weekend Argus.
“I could not sleep thinking about those people and the screams.”
ATTACK: 11 men between the ages of 25 and 40 years old were shot within an hour
The shootings followed an incident last Tuesday, in which seven people were killed in what was believed to be vigilante murders.
Ward 35 councillor, Mboniswa Chitha, said the daily patrols by residents to safeguard their area had become increasingly violent, but that his hands are tied unless the police intervenes.
On Saturday, fed-up residents marched to the Philippi-East Police Station and occupied the charge office for over three hours, demanding to see the provincial Police Commissioner, General Khombinkosi Jula.
The arrival of riot police angered residents.
FEARFUL: Tavern owner says she heard the gunshots and screams of those being shot
A resident said: “This is all they know, coming here with so many vans to beat and assault us for demanding they do their jobs and protect us from criminals who have taken over our community and turned into the wild, wild, west.”
Mbalula has called on the community of Philippi to help police find “these ruthless criminals who have no regard for life and bring them to book”.
Yesterday, police maintained a strong presence in Marikana.
“While no incidents were reported in the Marikana informal settlement, police continue with search operations and other crime prevention initiatives in the area,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa.
She said cops would work through the night to ensure the safety of residents.
“No arrests have been affected as yet, but the police investigations are gaining momentum.”
On Saturday, Jula appointed a specialist task team and placed Philippi East Police Station precinct under the care of deputy commissioner Major-General Mpumelelo Manci.
HORROR: 18 people were killed in separate massacres
Meanwhile, the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) said the national crime prevention strategy needs to be urgently reviewed for additional resources to be allocated to communities terrorised by violent crimes, gangsterism and drugs.
Sanco national spokesman Jabu Mahlangu said: “The fact that most guns in the hands of criminals in the Western Cape can be traced back to corrupt elements within the police service whose loyalty to crime syndicates is not in doubt, points to the need to intensify the onslaught against these weakest links that are exposing their dedicated colleagues and communities to danger.”
Police said the Nyanga Cluster was “in the lead” for arrests regarding illegal firearms - with 46 firearms confiscated and 46 arrests.