JOHANNESBURG and LONDON — A minimum of 9 folks have been killed early Sunday as a gaggle of assailants opened fireplace with pistols and an assault rifle at a South African tavern, native police officers stated.
A gaggle of as many as a dozen assailants arrived simply earlier than 1 a.m. at KWA Noxolo tavern in Bekkersdal township, which is west of Johannesburg, stated Brenda Muridili, a spokesperson for the South African Police Service.
The assailants exited from two automobiles — a white van and a silver sedan — then stormed into the bar and opened fireplace on patrons inside, police stated in an announcement.
Residents watch as South African Police Service officers collect on the scene of an assault at a tavern in Bekkersdal on Dec. 21, 2025.
Emmanuel Croset/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
Police stated it was not instantly clear from eyewitness accounts what number of assailants had arrived on the bar, however added that eyewitnesses had counted “about 12” suspects, who have been stated to be carrying no less than 9 pistols and one AK-47-style assault rifle. The entire alleged shooters have been regarded as males, police stated.
Three folks have been fatally shot contained in the tavern, Fred Kekana, the police commissioner of the Gauteng province, advised reporters on Sunday.
South African Police Service officers watch as SAPS Forensic Pathology Companies members work on the scene of an assault at a tavern in Bekkersdal on Dec. 21, 2025.
Emmanuel Croset/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
The assailants continued their taking pictures spree exterior the tavern, fatally taking pictures six extra folks, together with a passing driver, Kekana stated. A minimum of 10 different folks have been injured, he stated.
Authorities stated the potential motive for the assault was not but identified. The assailants have been stated to have searched the our bodies of the useless and injured, from whom they have been stated to have stolen valuables, together with cellphones, police stated, citing eyewitnesses.
South African Police Service officers stand on the scene of an assault at a tavern in Bekkersdal on December 21, 2025. 9 folks have been killed when gunmen opened fireplace at a bar exterior Johannesburg early on Dec. 21, 2025.
Emmanuel Croset/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
The tavern operated as an a shebeen, a kind of casual licensed bar that’s in style in townships. Bekkersdal sits about 25 miles west of Johannesburg, in Gauteng’s West Rand space, which traditionally was dotted with small cities supporting native mining operations.
