South African police say a manhunt is underway following a shooting at a tavern in Bekkersdal, near Johannesburg, that left nine people dead and ten others injured. The incident occurred early Sunday morning when approximately twelve unidentified gunmen arrived in two vehicles, opened fire on patrons, and continued shooting indiscriminately as they fled the scene.
The shooting took place at around 01:00 local time (23:00 GMT Saturday). Authorities indicated that the tavern was licensed to operate.
Sadly, this incident reflects a broader issue in South Africa, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the country recorded an alarming average of 45 murders per 100,000 people for the 2023-24 period.
Earlier this month, another violent episode left at least eleven dead, including a child, in a separate shooting at a hostel near Pretoria.
