JOHANNESBURG aEUR A shooting attack at a Johannesburg tavern left 15 dead and many others in critical condition.
Police are currently investigating reports that a group arrived in a minibus and started firing on patrons shortly after midnight Sunday.
The injured were taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
According to Lt. Gen. Elias Mawela, Gauteng provincial police commissioner, the number of cartridges on the scene suggests that someone opened fire in the bar.
Mawela stated to The Associated Press that “the primary investigation suggests these people were enjoying themselves hier, in a licensed tavern operated within the proper hours.”
“All of a sudden, they heard gunshots. That is when people tried running out of the tavern. He said that we don’t know the exact motive and the reason they were targeting these people at this time.
“You can clearly see that a high caliber firearm had been used, and it was firing randomly. Mawela said that you can clearly see that all those people were trying to escape the tavern.
He said that the area in which the shooting occurred was extremely dark. This made it difficult to identify the suspects.
According to Col. Dimakatso Sello, a national police spokesperson, the attack involved a pistol and rifle of 9 mm calibre.
Unknown gunmen shot four people dead at a Sweetwaters township, Pietermaritzburg’s coastal city on Saturday night.
Police say that two men entered the Tavern and opened fire randomly on patrons. Two people were killed on the spot, while two more were taken to hospital. Police say that 8 others are currently being treated in a hospital. Police said that the deceased were between the ages of 30 and 45. They were being treated in a hospital for murder and attempted murder.
“The team will work around the clock to find and bring to justice those responsible for this shooting,” said Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Kwazulu Natal police commissioner.
Cyril Ramaphosa, South African President, condemned the bar shootings.
Ramaphosa stated in a statement that “as a nation we cannot allow violent criminals terrorize us in such a way, regardless where such incidents may occur.”
He stated, “Government, citizens, and civil society structures must work together more closely to improve socio-economic conditions in communities, reduce violence, and eradicate the illicit distribution of firearms.”
Two weeks ago, 21 teens were killed in a bar in East London. Officials have not revealed the cause of these deaths, but officials say that the teens weren’t shot or crushed in a stampede.
