A late-night shooting at a township tavern near Johannesburg has left at least nine people dead and several others injured, prompting South African authorities to launch an intensive search for those responsible. The attack, which unfolded in the early hours of Sunday, is the second large-scale shooting to rock the country in recent weeks.
Police confirmed that the incident took place shortly before 1 a.m. at a licensed drinking establishment in Bekkersdal, a densely populated township roughly 40 kilometers southwest of Johannesburg. Witnesses reported hearing sustained gunfire as multiple attackers stormed the venue.
According to investigators, a group of armed suspects arrived at the location in two vehicles and immediately opened fire on patrons inside the tavern. As they fled, the gunmen continued shooting at people nearby, spreading panic through the surrounding streets. Emergency services later transported the wounded to nearby hospitals, where several remain in serious condition.
Gauteng provincial police officials stated that among those killed was a driver working for a ride-hailing platform who happened to be outside the establishment at the time of the attack. Authorities have not yet identified a clear motive, and no arrests had been announced as of Sunday afternoon.
Forensic teams and specialized investigative units were dispatched to the scene to collect evidence and review surveillance footage from the area. Police have urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that even small details could help track down the suspects.
The shooting comes less than three weeks after another deadly incident in Saulsville, near Pretoria, where gunmen targeted an informal tavern, killing a dozen people. That earlier attack intensified public concern over gun violence and safety in township areas.
South Africa continues to struggle with high levels of violent crime, with murder rates reaching their highest point in two decades last year. While officials say incidents like these are often tied to criminal rivalries or disputes linked to informal alcohol trading, the exact circumstances behind the Bekkersdal attack remain under investigation.
As communities mourn the victims, local leaders and residents are once again calling for stronger measures to curb illegal firearms and improve security in vulnerable neighborhoods.
