Johannesburg, December 21, 2025 — At least nine people were killed and 10 others injured when a group of armed attackers opened fire at a tavern in a township near Johannesburg early Sunday, South African police said.
The shooting occurred around 1:00 am local time in the Bakersdal area, where approximately 12 unidentified gunmen arrived in two vehicles and began firing indiscriminately at patrons inside the tavern. Witnesses said the attackers continued shooting as they fled the scene.
Police confirmed that the tavern was operating with a valid license and described the attack as a targeted but still unexplained act of violence. A large-scale manhunt has been launched to identify and arrest those responsible. No arrests had been made as of Sunday afternoon.
Images from the scene showed police officers inspecting the area as investigators collected evidence. Authorities have not yet disclosed a possible motive for the attack.
South Africa continues to struggle with high levels of violent crime. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the country recorded about 45 homicide victims per 100,000 people in 2023–24, one of the highest murder rates in the world.
The incident has renewed concerns over gun violence and public safety in the country, particularly in townships where such attacks have become increasingly frequent.
