Nine people were killed and 10 others wounded after gunmen opened fire at a bar in Bekkersdal, South Africa, during the early morning hours of Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. The attack, which occurred just before 1 a.m. local time, marks the second mass shooting in the country in three weeks and has prompted a massive manhunt for suspects.
About 12 suspects traveling in a white minibus and a silver sedan arrived at KwaNoxolo tavern in the Tambo section of Bekkersdal, located 46 kilometers west of Johannesburg. The gunmen opened fire on patrons inside the licensed establishment and continued shooting randomly as they fled the scene. According to police, some victims were shot in the streets by the attackers as they escaped.
Maj. Gen. Fred Kekana, the acting provincial commissioner of Gauteng, confirmed that the attackers were armed with one AK-47 rifle and several 9mm pistols. Some of the gunmen wore balaclavas during the assault. Five people were killed at the tavern itself, three were shot dead on the street outside, and another pedestrian was killed, bringing the total death toll to nine.
Among those killed was an e-hailing driver who had just dropped off a client near the scene. Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed the driver’s death, telling the Associated Press, “He was shot and killed.” The driver was caught in the crossfire as the gunmen continued their assault while fleeing the area.
Authorities described the incident as unprovoked, with Kekana stating, “The poor patrons were just enjoying themselves when people came and shot.” The attackers took valuables from victims, including mobile phones, after shooting them. The motive for the attack remains unknown as investigators continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses.
The 10 wounded individuals were transported to hospitals throughout the region for treatment. Their conditions have not been publicly disclosed as authorities work to notify families and document the full extent of injuries sustained during the attack.
The Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigations unit has launched a comprehensive manhunt in collaboration with the Crime Detection Tracing Unit. Police have mobilized all necessary resources, including forensic crime scene management teams and crime intelligence units, to track down the suspects and determine what prompted the deadly assault.
The Bekkersdal area, surrounded by abandoned mine shafts, is known for illegal mining operations that have contributed to serious social problems. The region has struggled with gang violence and the proliferation of illegal firearms, creating an environment where criminal activity has flourished. These underlying issues have made the township particularly vulnerable to violent incidents.
This shooting comes less than three weeks after another mass shooting near Pretoria on Dec. 6, 2025, where 12 people were killed at an unlicensed bar. Among the victims in that earlier incident was a three-year-old boy. The frequency of such attacks has prompted calls from the Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s second-largest political party, for a special task force to investigate the recent shootings in the province.
South Africa has experienced numerous mass shootings at bars, known locally as shebeens or taverns, in recent years. In 2022, a shooting in the Johannesburg township of Soweto killed 16 people, highlighting the widespread nature of such violence across the country.
The country recorded almost 26,000 homicides in 2024, averaging more than 70 deaths per day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in these killings. Despite having comparatively stringent gun control laws, officials say many murders are carried out using illegal firearms that circulate throughout criminal networks.
The prevalence of illegal weapons has made law enforcement efforts particularly challenging. Criminals often have access to military-grade firearms, including AK-47 rifles like the one used in the Bekkersdal attack, which are smuggled into the country or stolen from various sources. This weaponry gives attackers significant firepower against unarmed civilians in public spaces.
Violence in South Africa has been a persistent problem, with crime rates particularly high in urban centers including Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. The situation remains challenging as authorities work to address the underlying factors contributing to violent crime in the country.
The South African Police Service has urged anyone with information about the Dec. 21 shooting to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or submit tips through the MySAPS App. Authorities are working to identify all suspects involved and bring them to justice as the community mourns the latest victims of gun violence.
