Manhunt launched after nine shot dead in shocking Bekkersdal tavern shooting
Police have launched a manhunt following a deadly shooting at a tavern in Bekkersdal in the early hours of Sunday.
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
The Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigations, together with the Crime Detection Tracing Unit, have launched a manhunt following a deadly multiple shooting that left nine people dead and 10 others injured in Bekkersdal during the early hours of Sunday, December 21, 2025.
The incident occurred just before 1.00am at a licensed tavern in the Tambo section, where about 12 unknown suspects arrived in a white kombi and a silver sedan and opened fire on patrons.
Police said the suspects continued shooting randomly as they fled the scene.
Confirming the details, Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said the shooting resulted in “nine people being killed and 10 being injured.''
The motive remains unclear for the mass shooting.
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
She added that the injured were taken to medical facilities for treatment.
Sibeko said it was reported that “about 12 unknown suspects in a white kombi and a silver sedan opened fire at tavern patrons and continued to shoot randomly as they fled the scene.”
The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation.
According to Sibeko, police have mobilised all necessary resources to track down those responsible.
She said these include “Forensic Crime Scene Management and Crime Intelligence,” while investigations continue to establish the motive behind the shooting.
Police have appealed to the public for assistance, with Sibeko urging anyone who may have information that could help the investigation to contact SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or to submit tip-offs via the MySAPS App.
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