PRETORIA – A single shot outside the Little Britain pub in Waterkloof Ridge a week ago (Saturday 10 October) claimed the life of Baden Watson (54) and left his fellow Mac’s Motorcycle Club member, Ruan van der Merwe, in critical condition in hospital.

The suspect, Brian Smith (45), a member of the Crusaders motorcycle club, turned himself in to authorities and appeared in Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 13 October on charges of murder and attempted murder.

Smith will appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court again tomorrow, 20 October 2026, for his formal bail application.

What appears to be a deadly escalation of an 18-month dispute between two local motorcycle clubs has suddenly thrust Pretoria’s motorcycle community into an uncomfortable spotlight.

Background to dispute

In competing press statements posted on Facebook, the two clubs offer divergent accounts of what led to that fateful moment.

According to a statement by Jaco Loots, National Legal Representative of the Crusaders, published by Brian Slabbert on his Facebook page, the club allege the dispute began when the Macs placed two former members in “bad standing” approximately four months after they had resigned from the Macs and joined the Crusaders.

“The Crusaders have proactively and consistently attempted to resolve the dispute peacefully over the past 18 months,” their message reads. “We approached the relevant motorcycle councils, SAPS, the SIU, the Hawks and other stakeholders in an attempt to find a constructive and legal solution.”

The statement alleges Crusaders members were “repeatedly targeted and confronted – either individually or in small groups – by significantly larger groups of Macs members, particularly in Pretoria”. “Despite these incidents, we exercised restraint. We did not retaliate and consistently chose peaceful interaction over violence.”

The club announced a social media campaign to inform “the general public, the broader motorcycle riding community, other motorcycle clubs, and especially SAPS” about the dispute’s history.

“We will respond with facts, not fists. With truth, not threats,” reads the statement.

The Macs’ version

The Macs Motorcycle Club issued an official statement on Wednesday 15 October, signed by Mannetjies Geyser on behalf of the Board of Directors and the Executive Council.

“It is with deep sadness that we confirm the loss of our brother, Baden Watson. He tragically died as a result of a horrific act of violence,” the statement reads.

“Baden was more than just a member; he was a friend to many, a father to two sons, a son, and our brother. He was a source of inspiration and kindness, and a man of unwavering dedication.”

Geyser emphasised that, according to information from the Little Britain Pub and authorities, “no altercation took place before the unlawful shooting.”

The Macs strongly condemned the “recent distribution of incomplete and defamatory videos and posts published by certain individuals and members of the Crusaders on various social media platforms.”

The club noted that several former members still possess Macs club clothing despite numerous requests for these items to be returned. Several of these individuals were welcomed into the Crusaders club, contrary to established motorcycle club protocol, according to the statement.

Little Britain Pub in the middle

The Little Britain Pub has issued several statements on its Facebook page. “We are deeply saddened by the shooting incident that took place outside our premises, during which one shot was fired. It claimed the life of one man and left another in critical condition in hospital.”

The pub announced an immediate policy change: “Little Britain Pub has always been motorcycle-friendly, and will remain so. However, we must announce that motorcycle club insignia will no longer be allowed on our premises with immediate effect. This policy applies to all clubs.”

The pub questioned media narratives about the incident, noting that CCTV footage from three different angles exists but cannot be shared publicly during the ongoing investigation.

The pub’s version of the footage reportedly shows only one shot was fired that went through Van der Merwe and fatally struck Baden. “The shot was fired from very close range – approximately 1.5 meters – while the men stood on either side of the phone booth.”

Whether there was a prior altercation and the finer details of the fatal night will be established through the investigation and court proceedings.

Calm urged

The Mac’s Motorcycle Club emphasised that their focus on their mission remains unwavering, stating that attacks or attempts to subject them to a media trial will not cause them to deviate from upholding their values.

Since the incident, several local motorcycle club leaders have taken to social media to call for calm and prevent further escalation.

The shooting has caused deep concern within the social motorcycle community. South Africa is home to hundreds of social motorcycle clubs where members form close bonds, with brotherhood and a shared love for long-distance rides at the core of their culture. These clubs are social, and organised crime is not part of the country’s traditional motorcycle club culture.

Instead, bikers in South Africa are better known for their charity work and donations to old-age homes, children’s homes, and other worthwhile causes, and they frequently hold fundraisers for this purpose.

As investigations continue, the fatal shooting outside the Little Britain Pub serves as a stark reminder of how quickly disputes can turn deadly.

International connections?

The incident has raised questions about the influence of international “outlaw” motorcycle gangs in South Africa. In the aftermath, social media users pointed to Facebook photos showing individuals connected to local clubs wearing clothing with Bandidos emblems – one of the world’s most violent international motorcycle gangs.

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