At least 9 people lost their lives in a mass shooting incident in a township near Johannesburg, South Africa, early Sunday, December 21st. The shooting took place in Bekkersdal, a poor settlement located around 40 kilometres southwest of Johannesburg, South Africa, close to several major gold mining areas.
According to the police, the attackers arrived in two vehicles and began firing at people gathered near an illegal tavern in the area. Some victims were shot while standing at the tavern, while others were randomly targeted on nearby streets as the gunmen fled the scene. “Some victims were randomly shot in the streets by unknown gunmen,” the police said in a statement.
At least nine individuals were killed and ten others injured in a shooting at a tavern in South Africa, located in a township near Johannesburg. Police report that a manhunt is currently in progress.
— Press TV
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Gauteng Deputy SAPS Commissioner, Fred Kekana, says at least 12 shooters arrived in a Toyota Quantum minibus and a Toyota Etios. He says that when the police were attending to the tavern shooting scene, an e-hailing driver was shot dead in the same area. Nine of the shooters were armed with pistols, one had an AK-47 rifle, and they began firing randomly.
9 people have been killed in a tavern shooting in Bekkersdal in the West of Joburg. Gauteng Deputy SAPS Commissioner, Fred Kekana says at least 12 shooters allegedly arrived in a Toyota Quantum minibus and a Toyota Etios. He says when the police were attending to the tavern… pic.twitter.com/Aes1C9ohIy
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 21, 2025
Initially, police reported that 10 people had been killed in the attack, but later revised the death toll to nine. At least 10 others were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. The condition of some of the injured is said to be serious.
Police confirm nine people killed and ten wounded in a shooting at KwaNoxolo tavern, Tambo section, Bekkersdal, early Sunday. Police say around twelve suspects in a white kombi and silver sedan opened fire on patrons before 1 AM, then shot randomly while fleeing. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/YXx1NbsPv2
— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) December 21, 2025
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Police told the French news agency AFP that they are still investigating the incident and have not yet established why the attack took place. A manhunt has been launched to trace and arrest those responsible, but no arrests have been made at the time of reporting.
South Africa has a high number of illegal guns in circulation despite relatively strict ownership laws. An average of 63 people were killed each day between April and September, according to police data. A large number of the deaths were related to organised crime and gang violence.
