Eleven Arrested Following Deadly Tavern Shooting in South Africa

Thu Dec 25 2025 12:40:48 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In the wake of a mass shooting that claimed nine lives at a tavern in Bekkersdal, South Africa, eleven suspects have been detained by police, with links to illegal mining turf wars emerging as a potential motive.

A horrific mass shooting at a tavern in Bekkersdal, South Africa, resulted in nine fatalities, leading to the arrest of eleven suspects. The group, including ten individuals from Lesotho and one from Mozambique, may be connected to ongoing turf wars linked to illegal mining. Preliminary investigations suggest the attack was unprovoked but could be fueled by gang violence. The incident underscores South Africa's persistent struggle with gun violence and mass shootings, particularly in entertainment venues.

Eleven Arrested Following Deadly Tavern Shooting in South Africa

Eleven suspects have been arrested in connection with a mass shooting that left nine people dead at a tavern in South Africa on Sunday.

Police launched a manhunt for the 12 unidentified gunmen who had opened fire at patrons at around 01:00 local time (23:00 GMT Saturday) in the Bekkersdal establishment, near Johannesburg.

On Wednesday, provincial deputy commissioner of police, Major General Fred Kekana, stated that nine of the arrested suspects are Lesotho nationals, while one is from Mozambique. Another suspect, believed to be a South African mineworker, was also detained.

Murders in South Africa – which has one of the highest rates in the world - are often the result of arguments, robberies and gang violence. While the attack appeared unprovoked at the time, preliminary investigations now suggest a motive linked to illegal mining turf wars.

During the attack, gunmen continued to shoot as people fled the tavern, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and a taxi driver who was nearby. Several unlicensed firearms were seized during the arrests, including an AK-47 rifle.

With approximately 3 million legally held firearms in South Africa, estimates suggest at least an equal number of unlicensed weapons are in circulation. Despite 2025 showing a decline in mass shootings, incidents where four or more people are killed or injured have surged since 2020, according to Claire Taylor, a researcher at the campaign group Gun Free South Africa.

The tavern shooting comes just weeks after another brutal attack at the Saulsville Hostel in Pretoria, which resulted in the deaths of eleven people, including a three-year-old child.

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