South Africa shooting: 10 killed, 10 injured as gunmen open fire near tavern outside Johannesburg

10 Killed In Mass Shooting In South Africa

Unknown gunmen opened fire in a township near Johannesburg on Sunday, killing at least 10 people and injuring another 10, South African police said, in the second mass shooting reported in the country this month.

The attack occurred in Bekkersdal, about 40 kilometres southwest of Johannesburg. Police said several victims were shot indiscriminately, with some targeted while walking on the streets. “Some victims were randomly shot in the streets by unknown gunmen,” a police statement said.

Gauteng province police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed the death toll, telling AFP, “Ten people are dead. We don't have a breakdown of who they are.” The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The shooting reportedly took place near a tavern or informal bar in the impoverished Bekkersdal area, which lies close to some of South Africa’s major gold mines. Police said the site was allegedly selling alcohol illegally.

The attackers fled the scene, and no arrests had been made at the time of reporting. Authorities said investigations were under way to establish the motive and identify those responsible.

The incident follows another deadly shooting earlier this month, when gunmen stormed a hostel near Pretoria on December 6, killing 12 people, including a three-year-old child.

South Africa continues to grapple with high levels of violent crime and has one of the highest murder rates in the world, according to official statistics.