At least ten people were killed and another ten injured in a mass shooting in a township outside Johannesburg on December 21, police said, marking the second major gun attack in South Africa this month. The incident has once again highlighted the country’s ongoing struggle with violent crime.
The shooting occurred in Bekkersdal, a township located about 25 miles southwest of Johannesburg. Police said the motive behind the attack is still unknown and that the assailants fled the scene. “Some victims were randomly shot in the streets by unknown gunmen,” Gauteng province police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said, adding that authorities were still working to establish the identities of those killed.
According to preliminary police information, the shooting took place near a tavern or informal bar in the area. The establishment was allegedly operating illegally in Bekkersdal, a poverty-stricken locality situated close to several major gold mines. The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation.
Those injured in the shooting were taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. Police said no arrests had been made so far and that efforts were underway to trace the perpetrators.
The latest violence comes less than two weeks after another mass shooting in South Africa. On December 6, gunmen opened fire at a hostel near Pretoria, killing at least 12 people, including a three-year-old child.
South Africa continues to record high levels of violent crime, prompting repeated calls from law enforcement agencies for stricter action against illegal firearms and unlawful alcohol outlets, which are often linked to deadly attacks in vulnerable communities.
