STORY: An eyewitness described a “chaotic” scene after gunmen killed nine people and wounded ten others in a Johannesburg tavern early on Sunday (December 21), as police launched a manhunt for the attackers.

Nokuthula Bhukwana told Reuters she woke to gunfire just after midnight and saw bodies on the floor of the licensed tavern. She said residents used wheelbarrows to take some of the wounded to a nearby clinic while waiting for ambulances.

Police said about 12 suspects arrived in a white minibus and a silver sedan and opened fire on patrons before fleeing. The motive remains under investigation.

South Africa has one of the world’s highest murder rates, averaging about 60 killings a day in the continent’s most industrialised economy.

__________________________

STORY: Nine people were killed and 10 wounded in an early morning shooting in a township south-west of Johannesburg and authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspects, the South African Police Service said on Sunday (December 21).

The incident occurred just before 1am local time (2300 GMT) at a tavern in Johannesburg's Bekkersdal township, the police said in a statement.

About 12 unknown suspects in a white minibus and a silver sedan opened fire at the tavern patrons and continued shooting randomly as they fled the scene, the police said, adding the motive for the shooting was still unknown.

The injured have been taken to medical facilities for treatment, police added.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (DECEMBER 21, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. FORENSIC TEAM PACKING AWAY EQUIPMENT

2. VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF KWA NOXOLO TAVERN

3. POLICE TAPE

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Zulu) EYEWITNESS, NOKUTHULA BHUKWANA, SAYING:

"When we arrived at the scene, we opened the doors and indeed scores of people were lying on the floor. we rushed around and others were calling the police, and we also called the ambulance and they arrived. we had to carry some of the injured people using wheelbarrows to the clinic."

5. A FORENSICS OFFICIAL STANDING OUTSIDE A VEHICLE WITH OPEN DOOR

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Zulu) EYEWITNESS, NOKUTHULA BHUKWANA, SAYING:

"It was a chaotic scene and heartbreaking what happened there. People dead, they died for nothing."

7. COMMUNITY MEMBER VUYISILE MBEU SPEAKING WHILE TWO OTHER MEN LOOK ON

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Xhosa) COMMUNITY MEMBER, VUYISILE MBEU, SAYING:

"We are pleading with the police to work with our local councillors. Because these councilors are not here, they're just watching and when we speak out, they target us. there's too much corruption among people in this community."

9. POLICE OFFICERS STANDING NEAR THE SCENE

______________________________________

SHOWS: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (DECEMBER 21, 2025) (REUTERS - Access All)

1. POLICE VEHICLES AT SCENE WITH ONLOOKERS WATCHING

2. FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR WALKING TOWARDS VEHICLE AND COLLECTING STERILE BAG

3. FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR AT VEHICLE

4. POLICE OFFICERS WALKING NEAR VEHICLE

5. POLICE OFFICERS TALKING

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GAUTENG DEPUTY PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER, MAJOR GENERAL FRED KEKANA, SAYING:

“This morning at about one o’clock, a white (Toyota) Quantum and a silver Toyota Etios came to this tavern behind us, and on arrival, the plus-minus 10 males went into the tavern and randomly started shooting at the patrons. While in that process, three people were shot and killed, fatal wounded. Ten were seriously injured, and out of that, some of the patrons, two of them tried to run, got into a black [Volkswagen] Golf that was parked here. Criminals shot them too. Other patrons who were in the tavern tried to run to the clinic, and unfortunately three of them succumbed to their injuries.”

7. GAUTENG DEPUTY PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER, MAJOR GENERAL FRED KEKANA, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GAUTENG DEPUTY PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER, MAJOR GENERAL FRED KEKANA, SAYING:

"Since two o'clock this morning, we have been here, trying to gather all necessary evidence and process the scene properly and accordingly. Currently, the motive is still unknown. We appeal to our community to assist us in ensuring that those communities who might have seen this white Quantum and the grey Toyota Etios leaving a certain property or they know any of the occupants or drivers, please let them share that with us. Or they have number plates of those vehicles, let them share it with us so that we can be in a position to follow up and deal with them."

9. FORENSIC INVESTIGATION VEHICLE AT SCENE

10. FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR AND POLICE OFFICERS AT SCENE

11. POLICE OFFICERS AT SCENE

12. REPORTERS AT SCENE WITH CAMERAS

13. ONLOOKERS WATCHING FROM BEHIND FENCE

14. ONLOOKERS WATCHING NEXT TO VEHICLES

15. VARIOUS OF ONLOOKERS WATCHING FROM ROAD SIDE