By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South African Police Services (SAPS) in Mpumalanga has confirmed that seven people have been shot and killed in a mass shooting at a tavern in Pienaar township.
Fullview learnt that total of six people died on the spot while an unconfirmed number were rushed to a nearby hospital.
Provincial police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli says the motive for the Saturday morning shooting in Pienaar is unknown at this stage.
Mdhluli said one of the people who were taken to hospital succumbed to their injuries on Saturday morning.
“No arrests for now. We are still looking for the suspect and also the circumstances on how they were shot.”
Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Jackie Macie, who condemned the incident, said two people were taken in for questioning.
“Our officers are on the ground and have started with their investigations. One lost life is too many. This is a shocking incident,” he said.
“We are offering our condolences to the affected families. We also wish those who were injured a speedy recovery.”
Macie urged witnesses to alert police to the shooters’ whereabouts.
“We don’t tolerate any murder in the province. We are also worried about the number of illegal firearms in the province. We are working hard to arrest those with unlicensed guns.
“This incident has left many people in fear. We’re also pleading with the shooters to hand themselves over to the police.”
Meanwhile Police Minister Senzo Mchunu disclosed that more than 9,000 mass murders occurred in the country between 2019 and 2024.
In his reply to parliamentary questions posed by the Rise Mzansi, Mchunu revealed that over the same period, more than 1,000 individuals had been arrested, with 22 illegal firearms linked to cases of multiple murders and 143 cases having resulted in convictions.
According to Mchunu, police use the concept of “multiple murders” (rather than “mass shooting” or “mass murder”) for the purposes of crime statistics.