Gunmen Kill Nine in Deadly Tavern Attack Near Johannesburg
Nine people have been killed and at least ten others injured after armed attackers opened fire at a tavern in the Bekkersdal township, southwest of Johannesburg, in the latest mass shooting to shock South Africa.
The early morning attack took place in the impoverished mining community, about 40 kilometres from the city, marking the second mass shooting at a drinking venue in the country this month.
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Attackers Open Fire Without Warning
According to Gauteng deputy provincial police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana, several gunmen stormed the tavern and began shooting indiscriminately at patrons.
“They entered the tavern and randomly shot at the patrons, unprovoked,” Kekana told SABC News from the scene.
Three victims were killed inside the bar, while others were shot as they attempted to flee. Police said the attackers then searched some of the victims and stole personal belongings, including mobile phones.
Victims Include Passing Driver
Among those killed was a driver working for an online car-hailing service who happened to be driving past the tavern when the shooting erupted.
Kekana described the incident as “pure criminality” and confirmed that police had launched a manhunt for the suspects, urging members of the public to come forward with information.
Heavy Firepower Used in Tavern Shooting
Police said most of the attackers were armed with handguns, while one suspect carried an AK-47 rifle, raising concerns about the increasing use of high-powered weapons in violent crimes.
The motive for the attack has not yet been established.
Second Mass Shooting in December Raises Alarm
The Bekkersdal killings come just days after another deadly shooting at a hostel tavern in Saulsville township, west of Pretoria, on 6 December.
In that incident, gunmen stormed a hostel complex and opened fire, killing 12 people and injuring more than a dozen others. The victims included a three-year-old child, a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl.
Police said they were investigating whether the attack was linked to a bar operating illegally within the hostel and launched a manhunt for three suspects.
Growing Concern Over Gun Violence
South Africa, home to about 63 million people, continues to grapple with one of the highest murder rates globally, with mass shootings increasingly occurring at taverns and social gathering spots.
Authorities say investigations into both attacks are ongoing, as pressure mounts to curb the surge in violent crime.