Bekkersdal Tavern Death Toll Rises After Victim Dies in Hospital

• One of the victims of the Bekkersdal tavern shooting which took place on 21 December 2025 lost their life in hospital
• A total of 10 people were rushed to the hospital after a group of men opened fire at the KwaNoxolo Tavern in the West Rand
• Nine others are fighting for their lives as the South African Police Service continue to hunt for the suspects who escaped

Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of the Current Affairs desk, South Africa, covered a range of criminal activities, including cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, taxi violence, shootings, police investigations, police shootouts, and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.

BEKKERSDAL, WEST RAND — An 11th victim died from their wounds in hospital as the death toll for the Bekkersdal shooting, which took place on 21 December 2025, increased.

According to eNCA, the victim was one of 10 who were rushed to the hospital after the horrific shooting took place. The South African Police Service continue to search for the suspects who fled the scene.

Read also

Two suspects identified in Bekkersdal tavern mass shooting, says acting Gauteng Police Commissioner

What happened at the tavern?

An eyewitness said that a Toyota Quantum minibus and a silver sedan stopped outside of the tavern. About 12 men got off the cars and, armed with firearms, randomly started shooting into the tavern. They shot indiscriminately and allegedly shot people who were trying to escape.

What you need to know about the Bekkersdal tavern shooting

• A criminology expert warned that illegal taverns fuel deadly violence and called for them to be shut down after the Bekkersdal shooting
• An eyewitness shared details about the Bekkersdal tavern shooting and explained that he hid behind a door as the suspects indiscriminately shot victims
• Residents of Bekkersdal linked the shooting to illegal mining turf wars and feared that the South African Police Service's presence is inadequate
• The tavern owner opened up about how she feared for her life after the shooting and said she struggled to sleep

Read also

Police probe murder and robbery after taxi driver gunned down in Bishop Lavis

What did South Africans say?

Netizens commenting on Facebook blamed the government for the shooting and crime in the country.

"The ANC has turned us into Bogota and Sao Paolo."

Tau Ya Afrika said:

"Unfortunately in South Africa, we don't have a government that takes us seriously."

Siyabonga Ntebhaya Khumalo said:

"Eish, my friend's father was there and they killed him too."

Honorable Malume said:

"Thanks to Ramaphalaphala who is doing a great job as a leader."

Mogorosi Thaps said:

"Zama Zamas doing as they please in this lawless country."

SAPS names two suspects in Bekkersdal shooting

In a related article, Briefly News reported that the South African Police Service identified two suspects for the Bekkersdal tavern mass shooting. This was after 10 people were killed and 10 others were injured at a tavern in the West Rand on 21 December 2025.

Read also

Bekkersdal tavern owner fears for her life following fatal shooting, South Africans debate the crime

Gauteng SAPS' acting Provincial Commissioner General Fred Kekana said that eyewitnesses reported the suspects were speaking Sesotho, suggesting that they could be Lesotho nationals. Residents demanded that the police investigate allegations that police officers were collaborating with criminals.

Source: Briefly News