A quiet Sunday morning in Bekkersdal, west of Johannesburg, was shattered by grief and fear after gunmen stormed a local tavern and opened fire, killing nine people and injuring at least 10 others.
Police say the attack happened shortly after 1am. About a dozen assailants arrived in two vehicles, walked into the tavern and began shooting at patrons. As people ran for their lives, the gunmen continued firing, according to officers at the scene.
Seven men and two women were killed. Some victims were shot as they tried to escape. Another, a taxi driver, was hit outside after dropping off a passenger nearby.
“The poor patrons were just enjoying themselves when people came and shot,” said Maj-Gen Fred Kekana, the deputy provincial police commissioner, speaking to Newsroom Afrika. He described the attack as unprovoked and said the assailants were armed with handguns and at least one AK-47.
By Sunday afternoon, forensic teams were still combing the muddy ground outside the tavern. Clothing and personal items lay scattered where the shooting unfolded. No arrests had been made, and a manhunt was under way.
The motive remains unclear. Police have not indicated whether the attack was linked to gangs, robbery or a personal dispute.
For many residents, the violence felt grimly familiar. One local man, who asked not to be named, told Newzroom Afrika that gunfire is a regular sound after dark. “As soon as it’s dusk, we know that gunshots are about to sound,” he said. “It is terrorising our communities.”
South Africa continues to struggle with high levels of violent crime. Police figures show that, between April and September this year, an average of 63 people were killed each day. Many murders are tied to arguments, armed robberies or gang activity.
The spread of firearms remains a central concern. Estimates from gun owners’ groups suggest millions of weapons are in circulation, with a large number unlicensed. Security analysts say this makes everyday disputes more likely to turn deadly.
The Bekkersdal attack follows another mass shooting earlier this month, when at least 11 people, including a child, were killed at a hostel near Pretoria.
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