News Desk: At least 10 people were killed and another 10 injured in a mass shooting in Bekkersdal, a township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South African police said on Sunday. The incident is the second major mass shooting reported in the country this month, according to AFP.
Police said unidentified gunmen opened fire late Saturday near an informal tavern in the impoverished mining settlement, located around 40 km southwest of Johannesburg. Several victims were reportedly shot at random on nearby streets, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the attack.
🇿🇦 Mass shooting near Johannesburg: What is known so far
According to South African police:
🔸 At least 9 killed, 10 wounded in an incident in Bekkersdal township in early hours of Sunday; All wounded have been transported to hospital;
🔸 Around 12 armed suspects in a white… pic.twitter.com/2Mx7A53Ryu
— Sputnik Africa (@sputnik_africa) December 21, 2025
“The motive for the shooting remains unknown at this stage,” police said in a statement.
Gauteng province police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed the death toll but said authorities were still compiling details about the victims. Those injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, where they are undergoing treatment.
The Bekkersdal attack follows another deadly shooting earlier this month. On December 6, gunmen stormed a hostel near Pretoria, killing 12 people, including a three-year-old child. Police later said that incident took place at a site where alcohol was being sold illegally.
South Africa, particularly provinces such as Gauteng, continues to grapple with high levels of violent crime. Despite sustained efforts by authorities to curb gun violence, the country ranks among those with the highest murder rates globally, keeping public concern over safety firmly in focus.
