Bronkhorstspruit – A mass shooting at a tavern in Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, on Sunday morning has left five people dead and six others wounded. Police in Gauteng have launched a manhunt for the suspects.
According to Gauteng Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili, two men known in the community stormed the tavern and demanded that one of the patrons hand over his licensed firearm. A struggle ensued, during which a shot went off. As patrons fled outside, the suspects allegedly opened fire randomly.
The firearm owner was shot and injured before his 9mm pistol was taken. Muridili confirmed that the injured man will also face charges for contravening the Firearms Control Act, Act 60 of 2000, for negligent handling of the weapon.
“The incident resulted in five fatalities and six injuries. The injured were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Only one deceased has been identified so far, and all the injured have been identified,” Muridili said.
Police have registered five cases of murder and six of attempted murder. The Provincial Murder and Robbery unit, together with the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Tracking Team, is pursuing the suspects.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated case, KwaZulu-Natal police confirmed the arrest of a fugitive who had been on the run since February 2023. Colonel Robert Netshiunda, KZN Police spokesperson, said the suspect was arrested by Durban Central detectives on Friday.
The man allegedly killed the mother of his children in Volksrust, Mpumalanga, before fleeing to Eswatini. While in Eswatini, he is said to have murdered another woman with whom he was in a relationship. At the time of his arrest, the suspect was reportedly plotting to kill his children.
He has since been handed over to police in Mpumalanga, where he will face charges relating to the murder of his partner.
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