Nine Dead, Ten Injured in South Africa Tavern Shooting as Manhunt Continues
A violent attack at a tavern in Bekkersdal, near Johannesburg, left nine people dead and ten others injured, prompting a manhunt for the perpetrators.
Police reported that around 12 unidentified gunmen arrived in two vehicles at the tavern around 01:00 local time on Sunday (23:00 GMT Saturday) and opened fire indiscriminately on patrons. Seven men and two women were killed. Authorities said the attackers continued shooting as people tried to flee the scene.
Deputy Provincial Police Commissioner Maj-Gen Fred Kekana described the shooting as “unprovoked,” noting that some victims were shot while trying to escape, including a taxi driver who had just dropped off a passenger nearby.
Eyewitnesses painted a chaotic scene. Resident Nokuthula Bhukwana told Reuters that when she arrived, scores of people were lying on the floor. “We rushed around, called the police and ambulance, and even had to carry some injured people to the clinic using wheelbarrows,” she said.
Other residents described gunfire as a common occurrence in Bekkersdal. One local told Newzroom Afrika that criminal activity at night, including shootings, terrorizes the community. Deputy Mayor Nontombi Molatlhegi said residents are afraid to speak out, called for increased police presence, and urged military intervention to help protect citizens.
South Africa has a high prevalence of firearms, with around three million legal guns and an estimated equal number of unlicensed weapons in circulation. The country recorded an average of 63 murders per day between April and September this year, often linked to robberies, arguments, and gang violence.
The recent tavern attack follows a string of mass shootings across the country. Earlier this month, at least 11 people, including a child, were killed in a hostel near Pretoria. Since 2020, mass shootings—where four or more people are killed or injured—have increased, particularly in licensed taverns and illegal drinking spots, locally called shebeens.
