Gauteng police say the growing number of liquor outlets operating outside the law will be a key focus at an upcoming tavern safety summit, convened in response to the recent surge in deadly tavern related violence.
The summit, organised by the National Liquor Traders in South Africa, was held on Wednesday following the Bekkersdal mass shooting in the west of Johannesburg, where ten people were killed.
Bekkersdal Shooting Sparks Urgent Talks
The attack took place in the early hours of Sunday morning when gunmen stormed the Kwanoxolo Tavern and opened fire indiscriminately. Police say the suspects continued shooting at people in nearby streets as they fled the scene.
The incident marked the second tavern related mass shooting this month, after 12 people were killed in a separate attack at a tavern in Tshwane earlier in December.
Police Focus On Enforcement And Festive Season Safety
Acting Gauteng Police Commissioner Fred Kekana said law enforcement agencies have intensified engagements to address non compliance with liquor regulations and to reduce violent crime during the festive season.
Authorities have raised concerns about taverns operating illegally, the sale of counterfeit and unregulated alcohol, and the broader health and safety risks associated with illicit liquor trading. Police have warned that such practices contribute to crime, public disorder and serious health hazards.
Arrests Made As Investigation Continues
Kekana has assured the Bekkersdal community that police are determined to track down all those responsible for the mass shooting.
On Wednesday, eleven people were arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms. Those arrested include nine Basotho nationals, one Mozambican national and one South African, who was also detained for allegedly harbouring undocumented foreign nationals.
While the suspects have not yet been directly linked to the Bekkersdal shooting, police have identified one of the men as a person of interest in the case.
Forensic Tests To Determine Links To Shooting
Police forensic teams are currently processing evidence to determine whether the firearms recovered from the suspects can be linked to cartridges found at the crime scene.
Authorities say ballistic testing will establish whether the weapons were used in the Bekkersdal attack or in other violent crimes, a process expected to assist investigators in connecting suspects to multiple cases if applicable.
Police say the outcomes of the forensic analysis will be critical in strengthening the investigation and ensuring accountability for those involved in tavern related violence.
Facebook Comments