Nine people were killed and at least ten others wounded in a shooting at a pub in South Africa early Sunday morning. The incident occurred at approximately 1 a.m. local time in the township of Bekkersdal, located about 46 kilometers (28 miles) west of Johannesburg. Authorities reported that a group of gunmen attacked patrons at the KwaNoxolo tavern, marking the second mass shooting in the country within three weeks.
According to police, around twelve unidentified assailants arrived in a white mini-bus and a silver sedan. They opened fire on the tavern’s patrons and continued shooting as they fled the scene. “Some victims were randomly shot in the streets by unknown gunmen,” a police spokesperson stated, underscoring the chaotic nature of the attack. Among the deceased was a driver for an online car-hailing service, who had been outside the pub at the time of the shooting.
Authorities Launch Manhunt
In response to the violence, a manhunt has been initiated by the Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigations in collaboration with the Crime Detection Tracing Unit. The provincial police commissioner, Maj. Gen. Fred Kekana, provided an update on the ongoing investigation during an interview with SABC television.
This incident is part of a troubling trend in South Africa, where mass shootings at bars, often referred to as shebeens or taverns, have become increasingly common. Earlier this month, a shooting at an unlicensed bar near the capital resulted in at least twelve fatalities and thirteen injuries. Furthermore, in 2022, a shooting in the township of Soweto claimed sixteen lives.
South Africa’s Homicide Crisis
South Africa faces a severe homicide crisis, with nearly 26,000 homicides reported in 2024, averaging more than seventy deaths per day. The country has one of the highest homicide rates globally, with firearms being the leading cause of death in these cases. Despite having relatively stringent gun control laws, officials note that many murders are committed using illegal firearms.
The ongoing violence has raised concerns about public safety, as citizens continue to grapple with the threat posed by gun violence. As investigations into the recent shooting unfold, the community and authorities alike seek answers and solutions to curb this disturbing trend.
