This is a list of mass or spree killers in Africa. A mass murderer is typically defined as someone who kills three or more people in one incident, with no "cooling off" period, not including themselves. [1] [2] A mass murder typically occurs in a single location where one or more persons kill several others. [3] [4] [5]
This list does not include serial killers, members of democidal governments, or major political figures who orchestrated such actions.
Perpetrator | Date | Year | Location | Country | Killed | Injured | W | Additional Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unek, William, 27 [n 1] [n 2] | --- Feb. 11 | 1954 1957 | Mahagi Malampaka | ![]() ![]() | 21 36 | ? 30 | M FMA | Killed by police | |
Khayati, Younes, 32 | Aug. 21 | 1994 | Douar Izounine | ![]() | 43 | 0 | V | Died in the crash. No survivors | |
dos Santos Fernandes, Herminio, 49 | Nov. 29 | 2013 | Bwabwata National Park | ![]() | 32 | 0 | V | Died in the crash. No survivors | |
Komakech, Richard [n 1] | June 26 | 1994 | Kampala | ![]() | 26 | 13 | F | Killed by one of his victim's father | |
Unknown Police Officer [n 1] | April 15 | 1983 | Asureti | ![]() | 21 | ? | F | Committed suicide | [6] |
Unknown | Aug. | 1993 | Kilifi | ![]() | 18 | 25 | V | Arrested | [7] |
Seven people | Sept. 28 | 2024 | Eastern Cape | ![]() | 18 | 5 | F | Arrested | [8] |
Rifai, Omar Abdul Razeq Abdullah, 28 [n 2] | Aug. 21 | 2013 | Meet Al Attar | ![]() | 15 | ? | F | Killed by villagers Killed 23 people over the past five years | |
Unknown Soldier [n 1] | Nov. 6 | 1995 | Nshili | ![]() | 14–17 | 19 | FM | Committed suicide | [9] |
Dhendonga, Longo [n 1] | July 30 | 2020 | Sange | ![]() | 14 | 10 | F | Sentenced to death | [10] |
Opetu, Babby Ndombe [n 1] [n 2] | July 22 | 2023 | Nyakova | ![]() | 14 | 0 | F | Sentenced to death | [11] |
Ogwang, Alfred, 28 [n 1] | Dec. 26 | 1994 | Kamwenge | ![]() | 13 | 14 | F | Convicted | |
Unknown | Nov. 5 | 2016 | Juba | ![]() | 13 | 10 | F | Unsolved | [12] |
Nasha, Fekadu [n 1] | May 12 | 2013 | Bahir Dar | ![]() | 12–18 | 2 | F | Died | [13] |
Mogo [n 2] | May 12 | 1929 | Kitale | ![]() | 12 | 1 | M | Sentenced to death and executed | [14] |
Obwara, Lazaro, 55 | July 28 | 1950 | Kampala | ![]() | 12 | 0 | M | Arrested | |
Ben Jebir, 28 [n 2] | March 25 | 1985 | Fahs | ![]() | 12 | ? | F | Committed suicide Terminated a pregnancy | [15] |
Vukwana, Bulelani, 29 | Feb. 9 | 2002 | East London | ![]() | 11 | 6 | F | Committed suicide | |
Amanyire, Chris [n 1] | April 11 | 2014 | Karugutu | ![]() | 10 | 25 | F | Committed suicide | [16] |
Odoch, Patrick Okot [n 1] | March 9 | 2013 | Pakele & Gogonya | ![]() | 10 | 3 | F | Sentenced to 90 years in prison | |
Karanja, Peter [n 1] | Nov. 6 | 2010 | Siakago | ![]() | 10 | 0 | F | Arrested | [17] |
Delport, Carel Johannes, 36 [n 2] | Jan. 20 | 1992 | Ladysmith | ![]() | 9 | 19 | F A | Sentenced to 39 years in prison Had killed two people previously | [18] |
Unknown | Feb. 4 | 1974 | Calabar | ![]() | 9 | 7 | M | [19] | |
Unknown | Jan. 14 | 2001 | Brazzaville | ![]() | 9 | 2 | F | Committed suicide | [20] |
Muhamali [n 2] | 1924 | ![]() | 9 | 0 | Committed suicide | [21] | |||
Unknown | Jan. 21 | 1961 | Sunyani | ![]() | 9 | ? | M | Arrested | [22] |
Ugwu, Onyekachi [n 2] | Oct. 13 | 2015 | Ngelefi | ![]() | 9 | ? | MA | At large Killed several animals | [23] |
Kalanga | Bukoba District | ![]() | 9 | ? | Committed suicide | [24] | |||
Ogunbiyi, Sunkanmi [n 1] [n 2] | March 27 | 2014 | Eleweran | ![]() | 8–9 | 1 | F | Committed suicide | [25] |
Swart, Stephanus Andries Johannes, 37 [n 2] | May 6 | 1927 | Charlestown | ![]() | 8–9 | 3 | F | Committed suicide | [26] |
Unknown | April 27 | 1912 | Steamboat Africa | Atlantic Ocean, off ![]() | 8 | 23 | M | Killed | [27] |
Unknown Soldier, 18 [n 1] | March 27 | 1981 | Omashaka | ![]() | 8 | 12 | F | Arrested | [28] |
Unknown | Aug. 23 | 1974 | El Motamadia | ![]() | 8 | 6 | F | [29] | |
Katwesigye, Moses Katoko [n 2] | April 21 | 2016 | Kiruruma | ![]() | 8 | 3 | F | Sentenced to 90 years in prison | [30] |
Unknown Soldier [n 1] | Feb. 3/4 | 1933 | Lomé | ![]() | 8 | 2 | F | Killed by soldiers | [31] |
Mateane, Chippa, 42 [n 1] [n 2] | April 3 | 2006 | Gauteng | ![]() | 8 | 2 | F | Killed by police Terminated a pregnancy Bystander run over and killed by police | [32] |
Nabénéza, Germain, 35 [n 2] | Nov. 13 | 1994 | La Grande Montée | ![]() | 8 | 1 | FM | Committed suicide | [33] |
Beukes, Sylvester, 22 Beukes, Gavin, 25 | March 4/5 | 2005 | Kareeboomvloer | ![]() | 8 | 0 | F A | Both arrested Terminated a pregnancy | [34] |
Unknown | Sept. | 1929 | Masindi | ![]() | 8 | ? | Arrested | [35] | |
Kiti | 1940 | Rumuruti district | ![]() | 8 | ? | MA | Sentenced to prison | [36] | |
Brotto, Soera | Sept. 25/26 | 1786 | Cape Town | ![]() | 7 | 10 | M | Sentenced to death and executed | [37] |
Unknown | March 3 | 1998 | Al-Minya | ![]() | 7 | 9 | F | [38] | |
Unknown | May 27 | 1957 | Fort Hall District | ![]() | 7 | 6 | M | Arrested | [39] |
Mucunguzi, Nicholas [n 1] | May 2 | 2009 | Kampala | ![]() | 7 | 6 | F | Committed suicide or killed | [40] |
Kheshow, Thubelihle, 26 | Oct. 9 | 2021 | Redcliff | ![]() | 7 | 5 | M | Found not guilty by reason of insanity | [41] |
Gaferiza, Alexandre [n 1] Furaha, Joseph [n 1] | Sept. 20 | 1998 | Mininja | ![]() | 7 | 4 | F E | Gaferiza was arrested | [42] |
Unknown Soldier [n 1] | June 18 | 2007 | Waat | ![]() | 7 | 3 | F | Killed by soldiers | [43] |
Malam Kaigama Alhaji Jikurko, 30 [n 2] | Aug. 24 | 2008 | Jakusko | ![]() | 7 | 3 | M | Arrested | [44] |
Lino, Africano Abono [n 1] [n 2] | Oct. 15 | 2006 | Laguti | ![]() | 7 | 2+ | F | Sentenced to death | [45] |
Chibueze, Henry [n 3] | Feb. 16 | 2013 | Lagos | ![]() | 7 | 2 | F | Terminated a pregnancy | [46] |
Amou N'Talit Tademalit | May 13–15 | 1951 | Tadla-Azilal | ![]() | 7 | 2 | F | Arrested | [47] |
Obua, Isaac [n 1] | June 16 | 2016 | Kampala | ![]() | 7 | 1–2 | F | Killed | [48] |
Meyer, Paul Johannes, 35 [n 4] | June 2/3 | 2004 | Johannesburg | ![]() | 7 | 0 | F | Committed suicide Terminated a pregnancy | [49] |
Unknown | Feb. 8 | 2010 | Bata | ![]() | 7 | 0 | M | [50] | |
Amara Ben Ahmed | May | 1937 | Edough | ![]() | 7 | ? | [51] | ||
Unknown | Sept. | 1951 | ![]() | 6 | ? | F | Arrested | [52] | |
Unknown | Nov. | 1964 | Transvaal Province | ![]() | 7 | ? | M | [53] | |
Josef, Lukas, 21 [n 1] | Nov. 8 | 1980 | Ondangwa | ![]() | 7 | ? | F | Arrested | [54] |
Michael, Bawa [n 1] | Nov. 11 | 2001 | Kaduna | ![]() | 7 | ? | F | Sentenced to death | [55] |
Lemba Abdallah, Alain [n 1] | May 4/5 | 2013 | Mongo | ![]() | 6–7 | 6–7 | F | Sentenced to death | [56] |
Ngobi, Fred [n 1] | March 23 | 1998 | Kampala | ![]() | 6–7 | 0–1 | F | Committed suicide | [57] |
Opwonya, Kenneth Albino [n 1] | July 2 | 2008 | Omiya-Nyima IDP camp | ![]() | 6 | 8 | F | Sentenced to death | [58] |
Ndayisaba, Jean-Claude, 21 [n 1] | Oct. 8 | 1999 | Ruyaga | ![]() | 6 | 7 | F | Sentenced to death | [59] |
Mahmud Taha Ahmad Sueilem, 54 (محمود طه أحمد سويلم) | July 6 | 2010 | Meniel Shiha | ![]() | 6 | 6 | F | Arrested | [60] |
Unknown | April 2 | 1960 | Bailundo | ![]() | 6 | 5 | M | Arrested | [61] |
Lombard, Petrus Lafras, 48 | 1954 | Morgenzon | ![]() | 6 | 4 | F | Committed suicide | [62] | |
Unknown Police Officer [n 1] | Jan. 6 | 1967 | Cairo | ![]() | 6 | 4 | [63] | ||
Unknown Police Officer [n 1] [n 2] | Nov. 6 | 2000 | Aïn Bouchekif | ![]() | 6 | 4 | F V | Committed suicide | [64] |
Nkurunziza, Viateur [n 1] | May 10 | 1998 | Gikongoro | ![]() | 6 | 3 | F | Killed | [65] |
Imbasi, Benson [n 1] [n 5] | Dec. 7 | 2021 | Kabete | ![]() | 6 | 2 | F | Committed suicide | [66] |
Nivome, Aro | May 21 | 1971 | Abakaliki | ![]() | 6 | 1 | M | Sentenced to death | [67] |
Unknown, 35 | Oct. 31 | 1984 | Chrissiesmeer | ![]() | 6 | 1 | M | Arrested Also killed two dogs and two chickens | [68] |
Wanyama, Andrew [n 1] | Sept. 27 | 2007 | Arua | ![]() | 6 | 1 | F | Killed by soldiers | [40] [69] |
Unknown | Dec. | 1958 | Nzega District | ![]() | 6 | ? | F | Committed suicide | [70] |
Unknown, 30 [n 2] | Aug. 29 | 1982 | Soweto | ![]() | 6 | ? | M | Arrested | [71] |
Yego, Kibor, 18 | June 7 | 2006 | Marakwet District | ![]() | 6 | ? | F | Arrested | [72] |
Unknown | Jan. 23 | 1961 | Krobo | ![]() | 6 | ? | F | [73] | |
Unknown | Jan. 10 | 2015 | Juba | ![]() | 6 | ? | F | [74] | |
Unknown | Aug. | 1935 | Buta | ![]() | 5–6 | ? | F | Committed suicide | [75] |
Unknown soldier | July 19 | 2020 | Warta Nabada | ![]() | 5 | 20+ | F | At large | [76] |
Unknown Police Officer [n 1] | Oct. 8 | 1985 | Djerba | ![]() | 5 | 11 | F | Arrested | [77] |
Khazri, Wissam, 30 | May 9 | 2023 | Djerba | ![]() | 5 | 8 | F | Killed by police | |
van Heerden, Cornelius Johannes Petrus, 21–22 | Nov. 26 | 1931 | Bethlehem | ![]() | 5 | 6 | F | Committed suicide | [78] |
José, Jorge, 24–25 | June 2 | 2009 | Kainja | ![]() | 5 | 6 | M | Arrested | [79] |
Fortune, Christo Brian, 31 | July 1 | 2002 | Postmasburg | ![]() | 4 | 9 | FM | Sentenced to four consecutive life terms | [80] |
Unknown | April 14 | 1956 | Nairobi | ![]() | 4 | 8 | M | Arrested | [81] |
Smith, Leopold, 34 [n 2] | June 17 | 1963 | Umtali | ![]() | 4 | 7 | F | Sentenced to death and executed | [82] |
Angulu, George [n 1] | May 21 | 2015 | Karenga | ![]() | 4 | 7 | F | Committed suicide | [83] |
Unknown Police Officer [n 1] | March 28 | 2012 | Tudun Wada, Jos | ![]() | 4 | 6 | F | Arrested | [84] |
Unknown | Aug. 31 | 2024 | Kileera | ![]() | 4 | 0 | M | Killed by angry crowd | [85] |
Unknown | Feb. 4 | 2001 | Kampala | ![]() | 3 | 21+ | V | [86] | |
Duba, Boy, 20 | March 22 | 2009 | Mayflower | ![]() | 3 | 9–13 | M | Arrested | [87] |
Hervel, Sténio | Jan. 18 | 1986 | ![]() | 3 | 0 | F | Escaped | [88] |
The victims must have been largely the relatives of the perpetrator to be considered a familicide.
Perpetrator | Date | Year | Location | Country | Killed | Injured | W | Additional Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Berri Khan | Feb. | 1914 | Tripoli | ![]() | 10 | 0 | MP | Committed suicide | [89] |
Unknown man | 2009 | Aden | ![]() | 10 | 0 | A | Committed suicide | [90] | |
Mukobero Muchika, Jamin, 43* | April 29 | 2001 | Shibuye | ![]() | 9 | 6 | M | Arrested Terminated a pregnancy | [91] |
Sobhy Ibrahim Abdel-Alim, 42* (صبحى إبراهيم عبد العليم) | July 19 | 2007 | Minya Governorate | ![]() | 8 | 3 | F | Sentenced to death | [92] |
Kasoma, Christopher, 43* | April 27 | 2004 | Nsangi | ![]() | 8 | 0 | M | Committed suicide Terminated two pregnancies | [93] |
Njenga Fundi | Oct. 26/27 | 1968 | Mariani | ![]() | 7 | 3 | F P | Arrested | [94] |
Siboza, Elias, 60 | Feb. 24 | 2000 | Clau Clau | ![]() | 7 | 2 | F | Committed suicide | [95] |
Nkoana, Clifford, 30* | Nov. 9 | 1996 | Graaff-Reinet | ![]() | 7 | 1 | F A | Committed suicide | [96] |
Lubbe, Pieter Albertus, 35 | Jan. 10 | 1953 | Fauresmith | ![]() | 7 | 0 | F | Committed suicide | [97] |
Jooste, Johnny, 36* | Feb. 20 | 2000 | Ceres | ![]() | 7 | 0 | F | Sentenced to 38 years | [98] |
Byekwaso, Abdallah, 28* | Aug. 17 | 2007 | Kiraba | ![]() | 7 | 0 | M | Committed suicide | [99] |
Mohammad S.* | Jan. 31 | 2017 | Faw Qibli | ![]() | 7 | 0 | F | Arrested | [100] |
Kamili, Theophil, 52* | Sept. 28 | 2010 | Barazani village | ![]() | 7 | 0 | A | Arrested Killed a number of cattle, sheep and goats | [101] |
Unknown, 16* | Oct. | 1927 | Zagazig | ![]() | 6 | 1 | P | Arrested | [102] |
Feher, Lios, 33* | Dec. 28 | 1969 | Benoni | ![]() | 6 | 1 | F | Committed suicide | [103] |
Kapambe, Lemison, 22 | June 3 | 2012 | Pondani | ![]() | 6 | 1 | M | Killed by angry mob | [104] |
J. M., 45* | Jan. 2 | 1976 | ![]() | 6 | 0 | M | Arrested | [105] | |
M'Maroo, William, 17 | May 26 | 1988 | Linjoka | ![]() | 6 | 0 | M | Died while trying to escape | [106] |
van Heerden, Jacobus Johannes, 55* | Feb. 20 | 2007 | Vanderbijlpark | ![]() | 6 | 0 | F | Committed suicide | [107] |
Thokamolemo, Orelesitse Modise 26* | Jan. | 2008 | Letlhakane | ![]() | 6 | 0 | M | Sentenced to death and executed | [108] |
Mokhali, Tsepang Solomon, 21* | Dec. 28 | 2012 | Inanda | ![]() | 6 | 0 | FM | Sentenced to six life terms Terminated a pregnancy | [109] |
Unknown | June 17 | 2005 | Kajiado | ![]() | 6 | ? | Arrested | [110] |
W – A basic description of the weapons used in the murders