Nigeria TV Info — INTERNATIONAL / SECURITY

South African Police Launch Manhunt After Tavern Shooting Kills Nine Near Johannesburg

South African police have launched a nationwide manhunt following a deadly mass shooting at a licensed tavern in Bekkersdal township, near Johannesburg, which left nine people dead and at least 10 others injured.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday at about 1:00 a.m. local time, when approximately 12 unidentified gunmen reportedly arrived at the tavern in two vehicles. According to police, the assailants opened fire on patrons and continued shooting indiscriminately as they fled the scene.

Authorities confirmed that the attackers escaped before security operatives arrived. No arrests have been made so far, and investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the attack. Police have appealed to members of the public to provide any information that could assist in tracking down the suspects.

The Bekkersdal shooting has further heightened concerns over violent crime in South Africa, a country that continues to grapple with one of the highest murder rates globally. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) figures for 2023–2024 estimate that South Africa records about 45 murders per 100,000 people.

The incident comes just weeks after another mass shooting near Pretoria, where at least 11 people, including a child, were killed at a hostel, underscoring the growing frequency of gun-related violence.

Police say patrols have been intensified in and around Bekkersdal as investigations continue, while community leaders have renewed calls for stronger action to curb gun violence and improve public safety across the country.