Gauteng vows clampdown on illegal taverns after nine shot dead in Bekkersdal
Gauteng authorities condemned the deadly shooting at Kwa Noxolo Tavern in Bekkersdal, where nine people were killed, vowing stronger law enforcement action and support for police investigations across the province.
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
The Gauteng Provincial Government has condemned the brutal mass shooting at Kwa Noxolo Tavern in the Tambo Section of Bekkersdal, which left nine people dead and ten others injured in the early hours of Sunday.
In a statement issued after the attack, Acting Gauteng Premier Jacob Mamabolo extended his condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives, while also wishing the injured a swift recovery.
“Our hearts are heavy, and we convey our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. We also wish a full and speedy recovery to those who are injured,” he said.
Mamabolo expressed deep concern over what he described as a troubling escalation of mass shootings in Gauteng.
He noted that the Bekkersdal attack had occurred just weeks after another devastating incident at the Saulsville Hostel in Pretoria, where 11 people were killed and 14 others injured.
He condemned what he called a dangerous trend of armed criminals showing a blatant disregard for human life by targeting people in places of leisure, warning that this posed a grave concern for all residents of the province.
The Gauteng Provincial Government has pledged its full support to law enforcement as investigations continue.
“The Gauteng Provincial Government will provide all necessary support to the South African Police Service (SAPS) as they conduct a manhunt and investigation to find the perpetrators of this heinous act.
''We have full confidence in our law enforcement agencies and call on them to leave no stone unturned in ensuring those responsible are apprehended and face the full might of the law,” the Acting Premier said.
He also reiterated the provincial government’s concerns about the challenges posed by liquor establishments within communities, particularly where non-compliance with the law contributes to criminal activity.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to clamp down on the proliferation of illegal liquor outlets and to act against licensed operators who fail to comply with their licence conditions.
Mamabolo further stated that all provincial law enforcement agencies, under the leadership of the SAPS, had been directed to work together to address the surge in violent crime.
“We will intensify operations to shut down illegal taverns, remove illegal firearms from our streets, and disrupt the networks that enable such violence.
''We call upon our communities to share any information regarding this shooting or any other criminal activity with the police. We will not allow criminals to terrorise our communities and turn them into scenes of carnage,” he said.
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