In a tragic incident early Sunday, nine people were killed and ten others wounded in a shooting at a bar in Bekkersdal, a township outside Johannesburg. This attack marks the second mass shooting in South Africa within the month.
The shooting occurred around 1:00 AM local time at a tavern located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Johannesburg. Initially, police reported ten fatalities but later adjusted the number to nine. Most of the attackers were armed with pistols, while one carried an AK-47 rifle.
Deputy Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana stated that the gunmen entered the tavern and opened fire on patrons without provocation. Three victims died inside the bar, while others were shot as they attempted to escape. Witnesses reported that the attackers also looted valuables, including cell phones, after the shooting.
Among the deceased was a driver from an online car-hailing service who was passing by the establishment during the attack. Kekana condemned the incident as “pure criminality” and announced a manhunt for the assailants, urging the public to assist in the investigation.
This attack follows a previous shooting in Pretoria on December 6, in which twelve people, including a three-year-old child, were killed, highlighting a disturbing trend of violence in South Africa.
