Experts warn illegal taverns fuel deadly violence in SA

Forensic officials work at the scene of an early morning shooting in Bekkersdal, south-west of Johannesburg Criminology expert Professor Nirmala Gopal says illegal and poorly regulated taverns are increasingly becoming hotspots for deadly violence in South Africa. This follows the mass shooting at a tavern in Bekkersdal on the West Rand in the early hours…

Read More

Fear grips Bekkersdal after deadly tavern shooting

Bekkersdal residents say they live in fear amid the ongoing violence in their community. Residents of Bekkersdal, west Johannesburg, say they are living in constant fear after nine people were killed in a shooting incident on Sunday morning. Ten others were wounded in the incident, which happened at a tavern in the Tambo section. One resident…

Read More

Manhunt for Bekkersdal shooting suspects underway

The Bekkersdal shooting crime scene, December 21, 2025. Police have availed necessary resources to facilitate the investigation of a major shooting in Bekkersdal, west of Johannesburg. Nine people were killed and 10 others were wounded in the incident, which happened in the early hours of Sunday morning. VIDEO | Nine people killed, 10 wounded: Gauteng…

Read More

Yeoville caretaker arrested after firearms found in hijacked building

Police recovered two pistols, one rifle, hunting rifle and ammunition. A caretaker in Yeoville, an area on the edge of Johannesburg’s inner city long troubled by hijacked buildings, has been arrested after police uncovered a stash of unlicensed firearms on the premises. The 49‑year‑old was taken into custody during a crime‑intelligence operation inside the structure, where…

Read More