Ten Killed, Ten Injured in Bar Shooting Near Johannesburg; Second Major Attack This Month
Gunmen Open Fire on Streets Near Johannesburg, 10 Dead: At least 10 people were killed and ten others injured after unidentified gunmen opened fire at a bar on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa, in the early hours of Sunday. The attack took place in Bakersdale, a gold-mining area located about 40 kilometers southwest of Johannesburg.
Police initially reported 10 fatalities but later revised the death toll to 10. According to a police statement, the shooting occurred shortly before 1 a.m., when assailants arrived at the bar in two vehicles and began firing indiscriminately at patrons. The gunmen continued shooting as they fled the scene.
Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana told SABC TV that those killed included a driver for an online car-hailing service, who was outside the bar at the time of the attack. Emergency services rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, where several are reportedly in serious condition.
Authorities said the motive behind the attack remains unknown, and a manhunt has been launched to track down the perpetrators. Bakersdale is a disadvantaged area near some of South Africa’s largest gold mines, where crime and unemployment remain persistent challenges.
This incident marks the second major mass shooting in South Africa this month. Earlier, gunmen attacked a hostel near the capital Pretoria, killing 12 people, including a three-year-old child, in another shocking act of violence.
South Africa, the most industrialized nation on the African continent, continues to struggle with high levels of violent crime, fueled by organized gangs, illegal firearms, and corruption. Gang-related shootings and disputes between criminal groups and informal businesses are frequent, contributing to one of the highest murder rates globally.
According to police statistics, an average of 63 people were killed each day between April and September, with most deaths linked to interpersonal conflicts, robberies, and gang violence. One of the deadliest recent incidents occurred in September 2024, when 18 people were shot dead in a rural home in the Eastern Cape province.
Police have appealed to the public for information that could help identify and arrest those responsible for the Bakersdale shooting.
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