Tavern Shooting in Bekkersdal Results in Fatalities and Injuries
Early Sunday morning, nine individuals died and at least ten others sustained injuries during a shooting incident at a pub in South Africa.
The event occurred just before 1:00 AM in Bekkersdal, a township situated 46 kilometers (28 miles) west of Johannesburg. This marks the second mass shooting in South Africa within a three-week period.
Details of the Attack
Police reports indicate that approximately 12 unidentified suspects, traveling in a white mini-bus and a silver sedan, opened fire on patrons at KwaNoxolo tavern in the Tambo section of Bekkersdal. The suspects reportedly continued to fire shots randomly while fleeing the scene. Authorities confirmed that some victims were shot in the streets by the unidentified gunmen.
Victims and Investigation
Nine individuals were confirmed deceased, and ten others were hospitalized following the incident. Provincial police commissioner Maj. Gen. Fred Kekana stated that one of the deceased was a driver for an online car-hailing service, who was present outside the establishment at the time of the shooting.
Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigations, in collaboration with the Crime Detection Tracing Unit, has initiated a manhunt for the suspects involved in the shooting.
Context of Violence in South Africa
Multiple mass shootings at bars, locally known as shebeens or taverns, have been recorded in South Africa in recent years. This month alone, a previous incident near the capital involved multiple suspects at an unlicensed bar, resulting in 12 deaths and 13 injuries. In 2022, a separate shooting in the Johannesburg township of Soweto resulted in 16 fatalities, while another bar shooting in a different province on the same day claimed four lives.
South Africa recorded nearly 26,000 homicides in 2024, averaging over 70 deaths per day, contributing to one of the world's highest homicide rates. Firearms are the primary cause of death in these incidents. Despite the nation's stringent gun control legislation for its 62 million citizens, officials frequently report that many murders are committed using illegal firearms.