A mass shooting occurred in the early hours of Sunday outside Johannesburg, South Africa, killing at least 9 people and injuring 10 others.

Combined reports from Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Xinhua News Agency state that South African police said on Sunday (December 21) the shooting took place in Bekkersdal, a town approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Johannesburg, where more than 10 men attacked a local tavern in the early hours of Sunday.

Police revealed that the attackers arrived in two vehicles, opened fire on tavern patrons, and continued shooting randomly on the streets as they fled the scene. “Some victims were randomly shot and killed on the street by unknown gunmen.”

This marks the second large-scale shooting in South Africa this month, with the motive behind the attack still unclear.

Reports indicate that the deceased include a ride-hailing driver who was waiting outside the tavern at the time of the incident. The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Police have launched an investigation into the shooting, and no suspects have been apprehended as of yet.

South Africa grapples with high levels of gun violence, recording approximately 200,000 to 300,000 gun-related crimes annually, linked to murder, kidnapping, robbery, gang conflicts, and other offenses. According to South African police data, an average of 63 people died from gun violence each day between April and September this year.

A mass shooting occurred in the early hours of Sunday outside Johannesburg, South Africa, killing at least 9 people and injuring 10 others.

Combined reports from Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Xinhua News Agency state that South African police said on Sunday (December 21) the shooting took place in Bekkersdal, a town approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Johannesburg, where more than 10 men attacked a local tavern in the early hours of Sunday.

Police revealed that the attackers arrived in two vehicles, opened fire on tavern patrons, and continued shooting randomly on the streets as they fled the scene. “Some victims were randomly shot and killed on the street by unknown gunmen.”

This marks the second large-scale shooting in South Africa this month, with the motive behind the attack still unclear.

Reports indicate that the deceased include a ride-hailing driver who was waiting outside the tavern at the time of the incident. The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Police have launched an investigation into the shooting, and no suspects have been apprehended as of yet.

South Africa grapples with high levels of gun violence, recording approximately 200,000 to 300,000 gun-related crimes annually, linked to murder, kidnapping, robbery, gang conflicts, and other offenses. According to South African police data, an average of 63 people died from gun violence each day between April and September this year.