South African authorities have made significant breakthroughs in the investigation of Sunday’s deadly tavern shooting that claimed nine lives in Bekkersdal, near Johannesburg. Police have apprehended eleven individuals connected to the massacre, revealing a complex international dimension to the case.
Provincial deputy police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana confirmed that nine of those detained are nationals of Lesotho, while one suspect originates from Mozambique. An additional South African mineworker has also been taken into custody in relation to the attack.
The shooting occurred around 01:00 local time when approximately twelve unidentified gunmen opened fire on patrons at the licensed drinking establishment. Preliminary investigations now indicate the violence may be connected to territorial disputes within illegal mining operations, contradicting initial assessments that the attack was unprovoked.
During the assault, gunmen continued firing as victims attempted to flee, resulting in the deaths of two individuals inside the tavern and a taxi driver who had just dropped off a passenger nearby. The suspects were found in possession of several unlicensed firearms, including an AK-47 rifle.
This incident highlights South Africa’s ongoing struggle with gun violence, where murders frequently stem from arguments, robberies, and gang conflicts. According to statistics cited by Gideon Joubert of the South African Gunowners’ Association, the country has approximately 3 million legally held firearms and at least an equivalent number of unlicensed weapons.
While 2025 has seen a decline in reported mass shootings, researcher Claire Taylor from Gun Free South Africa notes a concerning increase in incidents where four or more people are killed or injured since 2020. Licensed taverns and informal drinking establishments known as shebeens remain common locations for such attacks.
The Bekkersdal tragedy occurred merely two weeks after another mass shooting at Saulsville Hostel in Pretoria that left eleven people dead, including a three-year-old child, underscoring the persistent challenge of gun violence in South African communities.