Mass shooting in Bekkersdal highlights the crisis of illegal firearms

A brutal mass shooting in Bekkersdal Informal Settlement, west of Johannesburg, that happened when unknown gunmen shot dead nine people and 10 wounded at a local tavern have been described by eyewitnesses as "chaotic" and "horrific".

Patrons scrambled for safety as gunmen in a Toyota Quantum and a Toyota Etios randomly opened fire on unsuspecting residents before 1am on Sunday at the Tambo section.

The Police Ministry stressed that the alarming proliferation of illegal firearms remains a significant driver of violent crime nationwide. 

“It is 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 tavern is licensed,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili.

She said the injured were taken to medical facilities for treatment, adding that Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigations, together with the Crime Detection Tracing Unit, have launched a manhunt for the suspects.

The police have also mobilised all the necessary resources, including Forensic Crime Scene Management and Crime Intelligence.

Muridili said the investigation will determine the motive behind the shooting.

She added that the SAPS Crime Stop line at 08600 10111 can be contacted by anyone with information that may help the investigation. Alternatively, tip-offs can be submitted via the MySAPS App.

Gauteng Deputy Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana said the suspects arrived in two vehicles and found people enjoying themselves at the tavern. 

“Out of the blue, unprovoked, they attacked, randomly shot people. Some of the people tried to run away,” Kekana said. 

“Two of them tried to get into the Golf that was taken by the police truck; they were also shot and killed. Inside the tavern, three were shot and killed. Ten were seriously injured through gunshot wounds, and others tried to run away. Three were shot until they managed to reach the clinic. At the clinic, three unfortunately succumbed to the injuries.

“Just on the same route down, the same criminals proceeded, met a Bolt driver, shot him, unprovoked, and disappeared.” 

Kekana said the suspects were reportedly armed with pistols and an AK-47 rifle. 

“Immediately after they shot, they went out and immediately went back, and they searched the victims, those who passed on and those who were injured, and took their cell phones and valuables. And some of them were wearing balaclavas, allegedly,” Kekana said. 

Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia’s spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said: “The Acting Minister has maintained that the proliferation of illegal firearms remains one of the key drivers of violent crime in Gauteng and across the country.

“Intensified intelligence-led operations and stronger cooperation between the South African Police Service (SAPS), communities, and other law enforcement stakeholders are critical in addressing this challenge. 

“Sustained visible policing, focused operations against organised criminal groups, and community-based interventions to prevent violent crime, particularly around high-risk areas such as taverns and entertainment precincts, are also key in ensuring the safety of our communities.” 

Gauteng’s Acting Premier Jacob Mamabolo highlighted that the troubling escalation of mass shootings in the province was a cause for concern, with this latest incident occurring only weeks after the devastating attack at Saulsville Hostel in Pretoria. That previous attack resulted in 11 deaths and 14 injuries.

Addressing concerns over community liquor establishment challenges, Mamabolo said they will intensify operations to shut down illegal taverns, remove illegal firearms from their streets, and disrupt the networks that enable such violence. 

Speaking to the SABC, one resident noted the rare police presence and nightly gunshots. He suggested the shooting incident might be linked to an ongoing rivalry between two Lesotho gangs, now impacting their community, a belief he strongly maintains.

Another resident lamented the daily shootings and high crime rate, attributing the violence, specifically crimes committed for money, to widespread poverty and joblessness.

ActionSA President Herman Mashaba expressed the party’s dismay and alarm following another mass shooting in Gauteng, highlighting the continued collapse of safety and security across the province and the country.

“While communities live in fear, law enforcement remains trapped in reactive crisis-jumping, with no credible, proactive strategy in place to end the lawlessness once and for all,” Mashaba said. 

“But this is not a SAPS failure alone. Criminals thrive in a weakened criminal justice system enabled by a government that increasingly appears entangled with the very criminal networks destroying our communities. No strategy is worth the paper it is written on when the institutions meant to enforce our laws are compromised and captured by criminals themselves.” 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za