6 killed in tavern bomb massacre

Sweetwaters community battling to come to terms with the horror

The community of Sweetwaters near King William’s Town is reeling after six people were killed when a tavern was petrolbombed late on Thursday night.

Business owners and loved ones of those who died are battling to come to terms with the horror.

According to police, two unknown men arrived at the eShop tavern just after 9pm on Thursday and ordered everyone out.

“Few obeyed the instructions to get out. It is further alleged that the two unknown men then threw a petrol bomb inside the premises, locked the patrons inside and left the place in a blazing inferno,” police spokesperson Colonel Sibongile Soci said.

She confirmed that six people had died. King William’s Town firefighters were called to the scene and managed to save those still trapped in the tavern.

“The victims ’ ages cannot be confirmed yet,” Soci said.

Brian Harmse, who runs a business near Sweetwaters, said one of his staff members had died in the blaze. “Our staff are praying for our staff member who died in the fire. We heard that he died there with his father. He was our driver and he was a good man. We miss him,” Harmse said.

One of the patrons who survived the attack was captured on video on the Sweetwaters King William’s Town Facebook page.

She said her boyfriend was one of those to perish.

“My boyfriend died there. I had to crawl out of that tavern to safety,” the woman said.

While the motive for the attack has not been confirmed, Qonce Liquor Traders Association secretary Christopher Nomtoto hinted that there had been an ongoing battle between foreign nationals in the area.

“We are really shocked by this and we condemn it. This is not right. There cannot be people who come and attack people in taverns. We will get the details of what happened,” he said.

Nomtoto said there were rumours that foreign nationals who rent business properties from local owners were at loggerheads.

“We hear rumours that there were fights between these people and that had led to this incident which left people dead.”

A 72-hour activation plan has been initiated by police while the case has been handed over to the Hawks for further investigation.

Provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Liziwe Ntshinga said the cause of the bombing was still unknown, but described the attack as a “cruel act”.

“No words can express our shock at the inhumane and brutal way the victims suffered at the hands of the perpetrators,” she said.

“Our detectives must leave no nook or cranny uncombed in searching for the perpetrators behind this cruel act. We want to send our sincere condolences to the victims, their families and close relatives.”

My boyfriend died there. I had to crawl out of that tavern to safety