Unknown gunmen opened fire indiscriminately in a township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa. Nine people were killed in the attack, and 10 others were reported injured.
The attack occurred just before 1:00 AM in Bekkersdal, a gold mining area about 40 kilometers from the city, when the attackers opened fire on people present in the area.
Initial reports from the police indicated that 10 people had died, but according to official information, the death toll is 9.
Indiscriminate firing on people
A statement issued by the police said that the attackers, who arrived in two vehicles, opened fire on people sitting in a tavern and continued firing indiscriminately as they fled the scene.
Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana told SABC television that one of the deceased was a driver for an online ride-hailing service. He was outside the bar. Police say the search for the attackers is ongoing.
South Africa, Africa’s most industrialized country, is grappling with deep-seated crime and corruption run by organized networks. Shootings have become commonplace here, and gang violence often stems from competition among informal businesses.
Previous attack
It is worth noting that on December 6, gunmen attacked a hostel in the Saulsville township near the capital Pretoria, killing a dozen people, including a three-year-old child. Police said the shooting took place at a location where alcohol was being sold illegally.