Nine Dead, Several Injured as 12 Gunmen Open Fire Near Johannesburg

Johannesburg: At least nine people were killed and several others injured in a mass shooting at a township west of Johannesburg in the early hours of Sunday, South African authorities said.

The shooting occurred around 1 am at a tavern in Bekkersdal township, located southwest of Johannesburg, according to details released by the South African Police Service. Police said nearly 10 people sustained injuries in the attack, while a manhunt has been launched for around a dozen suspects believed to be involved.

In a statement posted on X, police said about 12 unidentified assailants arrived at the tavern in a white kombi and a silver sedan. The attackers allegedly opened fire on patrons inside the tavern and continued shooting indiscriminately while fleeing the scene. Authorities have appealed to witnesses and members of the public to provide any information that could help trace the suspects.

South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) News initially reported 10 deaths but later revised the toll to nine in an updated post.

Provincial police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana told SABC Television that one of the victims was a driver working for an online ride-hailing service who had been waiting outside the tavern, AFP reported.

The incident has renewed concerns over recurring mass shootings in South Africa.

Earlier this month, at least 11 people, including children, were killed when gunmen opened fire at an illegal drinking venue in Saulsville township near Pretoria, the BBC reported. Police officials said such unlicensed liquor outlets, commonly known as illegal shebeens, have increasingly become hotspots for violent attacks.

South Africa continues to grapple with extremely high levels of violent crime and has one of the world’s highest murder rates, according to United Nations crime data. Police figures cited by AFP show that an average of 63 people were killed daily in violent crimes between April and September. (Agencies)