Police Arrest Eleven Suspects Following Deadly Tavern Shooting in South Africa

Thu Dec 25 2025 10:59:39 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A mass shooting at a tavern in Bekkersdal, South Africa, has left nine dead. Police have arrested eleven suspects, including ten foreign nationals and one South African.

In a tragic incident at a tavern in Bekkersdal, South Africa, nine people were killed and eleven suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting. The violence, which took place early Sunday morning, is believed to be linked to illegal mining turf wars. Authorities recovered several unlicensed firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, from the suspects. The investigation continues as the country grapples with its high rates of violent crime.

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 opened fire at patrons around 01:00 local time (23:00 GMT Saturday) in the Bekkersdal establishment, near Johannesburg.

On Wednesday, provincial deputy police commissioner, Major General Fred Kekana, revealed that nine of the arrested suspects are Lesotho nationals, while one hails from Mozambique.

Another suspect, believed to be a South African mineworker, was also detained.

Murders in South Africa, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world, often stem from arguments, robberies, and gang violence.

While the attack initially appeared unprovoked, preliminary investigations suggest a motive linked to illegal mining turf wars.

During the attack, gunmen continued to shoot as people fled the tavern, resulting in fatalities among patrons and a taxi driver nearby.

Upon arresting the suspects, multiple unlicensed firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, were seized. It's estimated that South Africa possesses around 3 million legally held firearms and an equal number of unlicensed weapons.

Although reported mass shootings have declined in 2025, incidents involving four or more deaths or injuries have surged since 2020, according to researchers from Gun Free South Africa.

These violent acts frequently occur in licensed taverns and illegal drinking spots, known locally as shebeens. The Bekkersdal shooting occurred just two weeks after another mass shooting in Pretoria that killed eleven, including a three-year-old child.