JOHANNESBURG - A deadly shooting took place in the eastern South Africa, leaving at least three people killed and six others injured, police said on Sunday.

The tragedy occurred as a group of armed people surprisingly attacked residents at an informal settlement at the town of Fochville in the eastern province of Gauteng on Saturday evening, the South African Press Association quoted police as saying.    

One resident was killed and several huts were burned in one section of the settlement, while two others were shot dead in a shebeen in another section in the following attack, the report said.

The six injured residents were in a critical condition and receiving emergency treatment at a nearby hospital, according to police.

It was unclear about the attackers' motive, and police were investigating the incident.

It was the latest shooting which caused residents' casualties in South Africa. On August 4, some people were attending a traditional event in the eastern province of KuaZula-Natal and attacked by a group of armed assailants, which left five people dead and 17 hurt.