JOHANNESBURG – Five people were killed and three others wounded when gunmen opened fire at a bar in Olievenhoutbosch township, 25 km south of Pretoria, on Friday evening.
Police confirmed that about ten gunmen entered the tavern at approximately 22:30 and began shooting at customers. Three men and two women died in the attack, while three people sustained injuries.
Police investigation underway
Police reported that the attackers “started shooting randomly without saying a word” before leaving the scene. Authorities stated that the motive for the shooting remains unknown and investigations are continuing.
No arrests have been made yet and the police have launched a manhunt for the culprits.
Crime statistics
The shooting represents another incident in South Africa’s increasingly high crime statistics, where murders average over 75 per day according to official data. Police recorded more than 27 600 murders during the 2023-2024 financial year, with most victims being young, black men in urban areas.
Firearms and gang violence
Shootings occur regularly across the country, often linked to gang violence and alcohol-related incidents. While many citizens possess licensed firearms for protection, authorities indicate that more illegal weapons remain in circulation.
A national security strategy report published this week warned that crime syndicates may begin using “more dangerous and sophisticated weapons.” The report stated that unaddressed gangsterism allows gangs to “occupy social spaces and create no-go areas,” leading to vigilantism as communities attempt to protect themselves.
Township violence patterns
The Olievenhoutbosch incident follows established patterns of violence in townships, where socio-economic factors intersect with criminal activity. Bar and tavern shootings have occurred in various locations across the country over recent years.
