DST News: The attack took place at around 1:00am local time at a tavern in Bekkersdal, near Johannesburg, when a group of armed men opened fire on patrons. Police had initially launched a manhunt for 12 suspects involved in the incident.
Provincial Deputy Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana said on Wednesday that nine of those detained are nationals of Lesotho, one is from Mozambique, and another is believed to be a South African mineworker.
While the shooting initially appeared to be random, investigators now believe it was linked to rivalries connected to illegal mining operations. Gunmen continued firing as people tried to flee, killing two individuals outside the tavern and a taxi driver who was nearby.
Several unlicensed firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, were recovered during the arrests.
South Africa has one of the world’s highest murder rates, with violent crimes frequently driven by disputes, robberies and gang activity. According to the South African Gunowners’ Association, the country has about three million legally owned firearms and at least an equal number of illegal weapons.
Although mass shootings have declined in 2025, incidents involving four or more casualties have risen sharply since 2020, said Claire Taylor of Gun Free South Africa. Taverns and informal drinking venues, known as shebeens, remain common sites for such attacks.
The Bekkersdal shooting came just two weeks after another deadly incident at Saulsville Hostel in Pretoria, where 11 people, including a three-year-old child, were killed.
Source: BBC
