BEKKERSDAL, SOUTH AFRICA — A massive manhunt is currently underway in the Gauteng province after a group of gunmen opened fire at a local tavern in the early hours of Sunday, December 21, 2025. The attack, which police have described as “random and unprovoked,” left nine people dead and ten others wounded.
The Incident
The shooting occurred just before 1:00 AM at the KwaNoxolo Tavern in the Tambo section of Bekkersdal, an impoverished gold-mining township approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) southwest of Johannesburg.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), an estimated 12 suspects arrived at the scene in two vehicles—a white mini-bus (Kombi) and a silver sedan. Witness reports and police statements indicate a terrifying sequence of events:
•Indiscriminate Fire: Gunmen armed with at least one AK-47 assault rifle and several 9mm pistols entered the licensed establishment and began shooting at patrons inside.
•Street Violence: As the attackers fled, they continued to fire randomly at people on the street.
•Robbery: In addition to the gunfire, police reported that the suspects searched some of the victims, stealing valuables including cell phones before speeding away.
The Victims
While the identities of all victims have not yet been released, authorities confirmed a diverse group of casualties:
•Three people were killed inside the tavern.
•Five people were killed immediately outside or in the surrounding streets.
•One victim was an e-hailing driver who was caught in the crossfire while driving past the venue after dropping off a client.
Ten survivors were rushed to nearby medical facilities, where several remain in serious condition.
Police Response and Context
Major General Fred Kekana, the acting provincial commissioner for Gauteng, condemned the attack as “pure criminality.” He confirmed that multiple specialized units, including Forensic Crime Scene Management and Crime Intelligence, have been deployed to track the suspects.
“They entered the tavern and randomly shot at the patrons, unprovoked… It is a tragic loss of life that underscores the challenges we face with illegal firearms,” said Maj. Gen. Kekana.
This tragedy marks the second mass shooting at a South African drinking establishment this month. On December 6, a similar attack at an unlicensed bar near Pretoria claimed 12 lives, including a three-year-old child.
South Africa continues to struggle with one of the highest homicide rates in the world, with police data from 2024 showing an average of over 70 murders per day. The prevalence of illegal firearms and gang-related violence remains a primary concern for the government and public safety advocates.