Nine individuals were killed and at least ten others sustained injuries during a shooting at a pub in South Africa’s Bekkersdal township early on Sunday, according to authorities. The incident occurred shortly before 1 a.m. at the KwaNoxolo tavern, located approximately 46 kilometers (28 miles) west of Johannesburg. This shooting marks the second mass shooting in the country within a three-week period.
A group of around twelve gunmen, reportedly traveling in a white mini-bus and a silver sedan, opened fire indiscriminately at patrons inside the tavern and continued shooting as they fled the scene. The police confirmed that some victims were shot randomly in the streets, contributing to the chaos. Provincial police commissioner Maj. Gen. Fred Kekana informed SABC television that among the deceased was a driver for an online car-hailing service who had been waiting outside the establishment.
Police Response and Investigation
In the aftermath of the incident, a manhunt has been launched by the Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigations unit, in collaboration with the Crime Detection Tracing Unit. Authorities are actively searching for the suspects involved in this tragic event, which has drawn attention to the alarming frequency of gun violence in South Africa.
Recent months have seen a troubling rise in mass shootings at bars, often referred to as shebeens or taverns in the country. Earlier this month, a mass shooting at an unlicensed bar near Pretoria resulted in at least twelve fatalities and thirteen injuries. Additionally, a 2022 shooting in Soweto left sixteen people dead, highlighting the ongoing issue of gun violence in the region.
Gun Violence in South Africa
South Africa grapples with one of the highest homicide rates globally, with nearly 26,000 homicides recorded in 2024, averaging more than seventy deaths per day. Firearms are the leading cause of death in homicide cases, despite the country having relatively stringent gun control laws. Officials attribute many murders to the use of illegal firearms, complicating efforts to combat this pervasive issue.
As the investigation into the Bekkersdal shooting continues, the impact of gun violence on communities remains a pressing concern for South African authorities and citizens alike. The recent spate of mass shootings has renewed calls for effective measures to address the growing threat of gun-related crime in the nation.
