Nine Feared Dead as Armed Men Open Fire in South African Tavern

Nine Feared Dead as Armed Men Open Fire in South African Tavern

At least nine people were killed and 10 others injured after armed men opened fire at a licensed tavern in Bekkersdal township, near Johannesburg, South Africa, in the early hours of Sunday, police have confirmed.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said about 12 unidentified gunmen, who arrived in two vehicles, stormed the tavern at around 1:00am local time and opened fire on patrons, shooting indiscriminately before fleeing the scene.

Police said a manhunt is under way to track down the suspects, adding that investigations have commenced to determine the motive behind the attack. The injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

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The latest incident adds to growing concerns over gun violence in South Africa, which records one of the highest murder rates in the world. According to figures from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the country records about 45 murders per 100,000 people.

The Bekkersdal shooting comes barely weeks after another deadly mass shooting near Pretoria, where at least 11 people, including a child, were killed at a hostel, underscoring the rising spate of violent attacks in public places.

Police have appealed to members of the public with useful information to assist ongoing investigations as efforts continue to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Nine Feared Dead as Armed Men Open Fire in South African Tavern