At least nine people were killed and ten others wounded in a shooting at a pub in South Africa early on Sunday, March 17, 2024. The attack occurred shortly before 01:00 in the township of Bekkersdal, situated 46 kilometers (28 miles) west of Johannesburg. This incident marks the second mass shooting in the country within just three weeks.
Authorities reported that a group of armed assailants opened fire on patrons at the KwaNoxolo tavern in the Tambo section of Bekkersdal. Eyewitness accounts reveal that approximately twelve unidentified suspects arrived in a white mini-bus and a silver sedan, targeting individuals inside the establishment and continuing their attack as they fled the scene.
According to the police, “Some victims were randomly shot in the streets by unknown gunmen.” Among those who lost their lives was a driver from an online car-hailing service, who was outside the pub at the time of the attack.
Authorities Launch Manhunt for Suspects
In response to the shooting, Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigations, in collaboration with the Crime Detection Tracing Unit, has initiated a manhunt for the perpetrators. The violence at bars, often referred to as shebeens or taverns in South Africa, has been a growing concern. Earlier this month, another mass shooting at an unlicensed bar near Pretoria resulted in twelve fatalities and thirteen injuries.
The violence has not been isolated. In 2022, a shooting in the Johannesburg township of Soweto claimed the lives of sixteen individuals. On the same day of the Soweto incident, four more people were killed in a separate shooting at a bar in another province.
South Africa’s Alarming Homicide Rate
With nearly 26,000 homicides reported in 2024—averaging more than seventy deaths per day—South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates globally. Firearms are the leading cause of death in these incidents. Despite having comparatively strict gun control laws, officials note that a significant number of murders are committed with illegal firearms.
The ongoing violence raises serious concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement in curbing such attacks. As authorities continue their investigation, the community in Bekkersdal grapples with the impact of this tragic event and the broader issue of gun violence in the nation.
