The Bronkhorstspruit Tavern Shooting has left South Africans reeling. On Sunday, 5 October 2025, gunmen opened fire at a tavern in Zithobeni, Gauteng. The attack killed five people and injured six others.
According to Gauteng police, two suspects stormed into the tavern, demanding a licensed firearm from one of the patrons. When chaos broke out, the gunmen allegedly opened fire on patrons as they tried to flee.
Bronkhorstspruit Tavern Shooting: What Happened at the Scene?
The shooting took place in the Dunusa area, Extension 10 in Zithobeni. Witnesses reported that two men, known in the community, entered the tavern just before midnight. They demanded that a patron hand over his licensed 9mm pistol.
Read our full report: Thembisa News: Man Dies in Oakmoor Shack Fire as Friends Set Eyes on the Stand.
A shot was fired during the confrontation. As frightened patrons tried to escape, the gunmen fired randomly into the crowd. Five people were killed on site, while six others sustained serious injuries.
“The patron with the licensed firearm was shot and injured before his gun was taken,” said SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili. “He will be charged under the Firearms Control Act for negligence.”
Police Investigation and Manhunt Underway
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a manhunt. The Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Tracking Unit and the Murder and Robbery Unit are leading the case.
So far, only one of the five deceased has been identified. The remaining victims are still being processed by the authorities. Police have registered five counts of murder and six of attempted murder.
Brigadier Muridili confirmed that the suspects are still at large. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stop or their nearest police station.
Pattern of Violence in Taverns Raises Concern
This Bronkhorstspruit Tavern Shooting is not an isolated incident. South Africa has seen a troubling rise in tavern-related shootings over recent years. In 2022 alone, tavern attacks in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal claimed dozens of lives.
According to the South African Police Service Crime Statistics, contact crimes and illegal firearm usage have risen sharply in high-density areas. Alcohol-fuelled environments and under-regulated taverns often become flashpoints for gun violence.
A suspect linked to multiple robberies in Tembisa has been arrested, as detailed in our report: SAPS Crime Intelligence and Gauteng Traffic Police Arrest Suspect Linked to Series of Robberies in Tembisa.
“We heard the shots – loud automatic gunfire for several minutes,” a local resident told Daily Maverick. “When we arrived, there were bodies inside the tavern. It was horrifying.”
Questions Raised About Firearm Regulations and Tavern Safety
The incident has reignited debates about firearm ownership and public safety. The patron whose firearm was taken faces charges for negligence under the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000. Police argue he failed to secure his weapon in a high-risk environment.
This raises important questions: Should firearms be allowed in taverns? Are taverns adequately licensed and regulated? The Bronkhorstspruit tragedy exposes major gaps in both policy and enforcement.
According to the Gauteng Liquor Board, all liquor-selling venues must comply with strict safety guidelines. Yet, community leaders claim enforcement remains inconsistent.
“Groups like these don’t fear consequences,” said Councillor Tembeni Thabatha. “There’s little accountability, and communities are left vulnerable.”
Community Demands Action
Local residents are calling for increased policing and tighter control over illegal firearms. Community leaders say the tavern had been shut down before for operating without a licence.
Initiatives like Operation Shanela have seen police close dozens of illegal outlets and arrest hundreds in Gauteng, but violence continues to spread.
The Gauteng Provincial Government and SAPS are yet to release a full incident report. Meanwhile, families of the victims are demanding justice and protection.
President Ramaphosa has called on Israel to release Mandla Mandela, who was reportedly abducted, full details in Ramaphosa Urges Israel to Release Abducted Mandla Mandela.
