South African police have arrested 11 suspects in connection with the mass shooting at a tavern in Bekkersdal, west of Johannesburg, that left nine people dead and at least 10 injured.
The attack happened shortly after 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, when a group of gunmen arrived at the establishment and opened fire on patrons, shooting both inside and outside the venue as people tried to flee. Victims included people struck while running from the tavern and a driver who was nearby at the time of the shooting.
Gauteng police said the arrests followed raids in the broader Westonaria area, with investigators focusing on links to illegal mining gangs. Acting provincial police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana said nine of those detained are from Lesotho, one is from Mozambique, and another suspect is believed to be a South African mineworker. Authorities say early findings point to a possible motive linked to illegal mining “turf wars.”
Police said several unlicensed firearms were recovered during the operation, including an AK-47-style rifle and handguns. Forensic and ballistic teams are testing the seized weapons, and investigators say ammunition types recovered from suspects are consistent with what was found at the crime scene.
The shooting has renewed attention on violence tied to illegal mining in parts of Gauteng, where so-called zama-zamas operate around disused shafts and clashes between rival groups are common.
South Africa has one of the highest murder rates globally, with many killings linked to robberies, personal disputes and gang violence. Analysts and gun-violence researchers say licensed taverns and informal drinking spots (shebeens) are among the most frequent sites of multi-victim shootings.
The Bekkersdal attack came weeks after another mass shooting in the Pretoria area, when gunmen opened fire at a hostel-linked drinking venue in Saulsville, killing at least a dozen people, including children, and prompting a separate police investigation and arrests.