By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
At least 9 people were killed and others were wounded in a shooting at a tavern in Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, South African Police Services (SAPS) confirmed.
The attack occurred overnight at the KwaNoxolo tavern in the Tambo section, an informal settlement, 40km (25 miles) south-west of Johannesburg.
The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment and the motive of the shooting is unknown.
Gauteng Acting Police Commissioner Fred Kekana told Fullview that the dead included a driver from an online car-hailing service who had been outside the tavern.
“We are still busy obtaining statements. Our national crime and management team has arrived. The provincial crime scene management team has arrived and a team from the local criminal record center is here, so is our serious crime investigating team, crime intelligence, and the provincial crime detective team is on scene, “he said.
According to Kekana, the attackers in two vehicles opened fire at tavern patrons and continued to shoot randomly as they fled the scene.
A manhunt for the attackers was launched, Kekana said.
South Africa is grappling with entrenched crime and corruption driven by organised networks.
Shootings are common and often fuelled by gang violence and competition between informal businesses, contributing to one of the highest murder rates in the world.
On 6 December, gunmen stormed a hostel near the capital, Pretoria, killing a dozen people including a three-year-old child. The shooting also took place at a tavern.