A manhunt is underway in South Africa after a brutal shooting at a tavern in Bekkersdal, a township near Johannesburg, left nine people dead and ten others injured early Sunday morning.
Police report that around 12 unidentified gunmen arrived in two vehicles, a white minibus and a silver sedan, and opened fire on patrons at the licensed establishment just before 1:00 AM local time.
According to authorities, the attack appeared to be unprovoked, with the assailants shooting randomly at people inside the tavern and continuing to fire as patrons fled into the streets.
Deputy provincial police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana described the scene as “pure criminality,” stating that the attackers, armed with pistols and at least one AK-47, shot at people who were simply enjoying themselves.
After the initial shooting, the suspects allegedly robbed the victims of their valuables, including cell phones.
Among the deceased were seven men and two women, including a driver for a ride-hailing service who was nearby at the time of the attack.
This tragic event is the second mass shooting in the country this month, following an incident on December 6 where gunmen killed 12 people, including a child, at a hostel near Pretoria.
