This is not a common word NAmE, though it may be BrE. It possibly comes from the Arabic word شوف, a word that means "look".

The quote from the book: "Obviously they had gone out into the bush to join one of the bands of shufta that were already playing havoc along the main roads: ambushing all unprotected traffic, beating up lucky travellers and murdering those less fortunate, raping when they had the opportunity, and generally enjoying themselves. "

Not to worry, Andi. I only try to find out the strict meaning of this word.

Oh, sorry. I've never heard that word before. Ignore my answer then!

I'm reading the book. The action take place in Congo. How I can understand, "shufta" is group of bandits or kinda...