Up next
Author
Share this @internewscast.com
FacebookXRedditPinterest
Nine people were killed when gunmen opened fire at a bar outside Johannesburg early Sunday, police said, in the second such shooting in South Africa this month.
Ten more were wounded in the early morning attack at the tavern in the impoverished Bekkersdal township in a gold mining area around 40 kilometres southwest of the city.
It follows a shooting at a tavern near Pretoria on 6 December when gunmen killed a dozen people, including a three‑year‑old child.
Police initially said 10 people were killed when the Bekkersdal bar was attacked just before 1am local time, but later revised the toll downwards.
Most of the attackers were armed with pistols and one had an AK-47 rifle, deputy provincial police commissioner major general Fred Kekana told SABC television from the scene.

“The assailants entered the tavern and indiscriminately opened fire on the patrons without any provocation,” a witness reported.

Police officers are seen behind barricade tape along with vans.

The South African Police Service has initiated an intense search for the suspects involved in this tragic incident.

The shooting resulted in the deaths of three individuals inside the establishment. As chaos ensued, others were fatally shot while attempting to escape, with the attackers continuing their assault as they fled the scene.

The victims of this senseless act included children, tragically aged just three, 12, and 16 years old.

South Africa, the continent’s most industrialised nation, is grappling with a high crime rate, much of it driven by organised networks and gangs.
The country is awash with legal and illegal firearms and shootings are common, often fuelled by gang rivalry and competition between informal businesses.
The tavern hit in the Pretoria attack earlier this month was an unlicensed outlet in a hostel for migrant workers at Saulsville township.

The dead included children aged three, 12 and 16.

The country was also shocked by the daylight assassination in central Johannesburg last week of a popular former radio presenter known as DJ Warras.
The 40-year-old, whose real name was Warris Stock, was gunned down on 16 December outside a building that he had visited as part of his work with a private security company.
In another high-profile killing, a witness in a corruption inquiry was shot dead in front of his family on 5 December, just weeks after testifying against a municipal police chief.

The murder of Marius Van der Merwe, 41, reignited a debate about the targeting of whistleblowers who provide information related to crime and corruption, including the public sector and cases implicating government officials.
South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, with an average of 63 people killed each day between April and September, according to police data.
In one of the worst mass shootings in recent months, 18 relatives were shot dead at a rural homestead in the Eastern Cape province in September 2024.
The victims, who had gathered for a traditional ceremony, were aged 14 to 64 years old, and 15 were women. Several men have been arrested.
Share this @internewscast.com
FacebookXRedditPinterest
You May Also Like

Historic Inauguration: Zohran Mamdani Becomes NYC’s First Muslim Mayor Amidst ‘Tax the Rich’ Rallying Calls

Democrat Zohran Mamdani has become New York City’s mayor, vowing during a…

Australian Citizen Tragically Loses Life Amid Conflict in Ukraine

Authorities are working to confirm reports that an Australian man died last…
An Adelaide retiree is a multi-millionaire after scooping the entire $20 million Powerball jackpot.

Adelaide Woman Discovers She’s the Lucky Winner of the $20 Million Christmas Powerball Jackpot

An Adelaide retiree has just become a multimillionaire after realising she scooped…
Searches resume for two people missing at NSW beaches after spate of drownings

Search Efforts Renewed for Two Missing Individuals Following Series of Drownings at NSW Beaches

A young man in his 20s disappeared while swimming with friends at…
Man missing after incident at Central Queensland coal mine

Urgent Search Underway: Missing Worker at Central Queensland Coal Mine Sparks Concern

A distressing event unfolded in Central Queensland today as a roof collapse…
First victim of Swiss Alps bar fire identified as boy sports star

Young Athlete Tragically Identified as First Victim in Swiss Alps Bar Fire

The new year celebrations took a devastating turn early Thursday when a…

Tragic Clashes in Iran: Six Lives Lost Amid Ongoing Protests

Protesters and security forces have clashed in three Iranian cities, with six…
Barber and viral content creator Safari Martins, demonstrates one of his inventive shaving methods using an iron box while grooming Ian Njenga in Kiambu, Kenya, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku)

Kenyan Barber’s Unique Shovel Skills Captivate Africa’s Social Media Users

Safari Martins guides his customer, Ian Njenga, into a modest shack located…
Trump claims to know cause of worrying hand bruises

Trump Reveals Insight into Mysterious Hand Bruises

US President Donald Trump told The Wall Street Journal in an interview…
Character, networking, and spelling: What bosses really look for in new hires

Top Traits Employers Seek: Character, Networking Skills, and Spelling Mastery in New Hires

Exclusive: In 2026, many Australians are expected to seek new job opportunities…

Aussie Champion Daniel Sanders Sets Sights on Consecutive Wins as Dakar Rally 2026 Approaches

The countdown is on for the “world’s toughest motor race”, and last…

Unforgettable Visuals: The Defining Moments of 2025 Captured in Pictures and Videos

Both in Australia and around the world, 2025 was marked by moments…