JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The death toll from a mass shooting at a township pub in Bekkersdal, west of Johannesburg, has risen to 10, police confirmed Tuesday. The victims — three women and seven men — were killed in the early hours of Sunday when gunmen stormed the venue and opened fire indiscriminately.
Nine others remain hospitalised, some in critical condition. Witnesses said about 12 attackers in two vehicles carried out the assault before fleeing the scene.
Police Investigation
Acting Gauteng provincial commissioner Maj. Gen. Fred Kekana said two individuals have been identified as potential suspects based on community reports. Meanwhile, authorities announced that the tavern owner will face charges of fraud and operating an illegal liquor outlet, with all alcohol on the premises confiscated.
Pattern of Violence
This marks the second mass shooting at a township pub in three weeks. Earlier in December, an attack at an unlicensed bar near Pretoria left 12 people dead, including three children. A 32‑year‑old man was arrested on Monday in connection with that incident.
South Africa has grappled with rising gun violence in recent years, particularly in informal taverns and township bars where regulation is weak. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), more than 7,000 firearm‑related murders were recorded nationwide in 2024, highlighting the scale of the crisis.
Wider Context
Experts say the proliferation of illegal firearms, coupled with socio‑economic pressures in township communities, has fueled the surge in shootings. Township pubs — often unlicensed — have become flashpoints for violence, with gangs and criminal networks exploiting lax oversight.
Authorities have pledged tougher enforcement against illegal liquor outlets and renewed efforts to curb gun trafficking. However, community leaders warn that without addressing poverty and unemployment, violence in these areas will remain entrenched.