Nine individuals have died and ten others were injured in a shooting incident at a licensed tavern in Bekkersdal, a township located near Johannesburg, South Africa. The event took place at approximately 01:00 local time on Sunday, which corresponds to 23:00 GMT on Saturday.
South African police have launched a search operation for the perpetrators. According to police statements, approximately 12 unidentified gunmen arrived at the location in two vehicles. They subsequently opened fire on patrons within the tavern and continued to discharge firearms indiscriminately as they fled the scene.
Official figures from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime indicate that South Africa had a murder rate of 45 people per 100,000 population during the 2023-2024 reporting period.