Multiple tavern shootings send shock waves across the country
A SERIES of mass tavern shootings took place in various parts of the country over the past weekend, leaving more than 20 people dead.
On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the killings and urged security agencies and community members to work together to bring those responsible to book.
He also called on the public and civil society structures to work together more closely to improve social and economic conditions in communities, reduce violent crime and stamp out the illicit circulation of firearms.
Kwazulu-natal police commissioner Lieutenant-general Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi deployed members of Crime Intelligence, forensic experts and a tactical unit to form part of an investigation team led by the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Unit to probe the deaths of four people at Samukelisiwe Tavern in Sweetwaters,
Pietermaritzburg, on Saturday.
According to police reports, two men entered the tavern at about 8.30pm and randomly opened fire on patrons, resulting in at least 12 being shot. Four people between the ages of 30 and 45 were killed and eight injured. Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-colonel Nqobile Gwala said on Thursday that the two suspects who were taken in for questioning in connection with the shootings had been released and the matter was still under investigation.
The KZN Liquor Authority (KZNLA) said on Thursday that it had suspended the tavern’s licence with immediate effect. Acting CEO Bheki Mbanjwa said security commitments made by the tavern owner were not adhered to as stated in the application documents submitted, resulting in a breach of the licence conditions set out by the authority.
He said the licence was suspended for three months or until the security plan that was submitted was implemented to the KZNLA’S satisfaction.
In another tavern shooting, in Gauteng, five gunmen entered Mdlalose’s Tavern in Nomzamo informal settlement, Soweto, in the early hours of Sunday and shot 23 patrons.
According to police, 12 people were killed at the scene and three more died in hospital. Police investigators picked up more than 140 cartridges from high-calibre weapons at the scene.
In Katlehong, east of Johannesburg, two people died in a tavern shooting at Mputlane’s Inn last Friday night after they were shot in the head. Four armed men entered the establishment and began firing at patrons. Six people were shot.
Minister of Police Bheki Cele, during a visit to the Soweto crime scene on Monday, said the attacks in the two provinces were more coincidental than co-ordinated. He condemned the killings, adding that police were working around the clock to bring those responsible to book.
At the community engagement with residents of Nomzamo informal settlement, community members asked for immediate intervention to address the high crime rate. Members of the Tactical Response Team were deployed to assist with policing.
The police said an additional fleet of vehicles was directed to the Orlando policing precinct to support crime-fighting operations. SAPS promised to heighten police visibility through operations to root out criminality and tackle the high prevalence of illegal firearms in the area.