Wedela Tavern Shooting Death Toll Rises to 18 as Police Hunt 8 Suspects
- A hospitalized victim died from injuries sustained in the Saturday night mass shooting at a Wedela tavern on the West Rand
- Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili confirmed the updated death toll on Monday, with only four of the 18 victims identified so far
- Gauteng police are investigating robbery, retaliation, and illegal mining links as possible motives, with no arrests made
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Source: Getty Images
GAUTENG — The death toll from Saturday night's mass shooting at a tavern in Wedela, on the West Rand, has climbed to 18 after a hospitalised survivor succumbed to their injuries on Monday morning.
Gauteng police spokesperson Brenda Muridili confirmed the updated figure, noting that 17 patrons were killed at the scene when gunmen opened fire on the venue. No arrests have been made.
Victims' identification remains incomplete
Of the 18 people killed, only four have been identified — two South African nationals and two Lesotho nationals. Muridili said all injured victims currently receiving hospital treatment have been identified. She said that five of the victims shot in the upper torso are in critical condition, while the others are recovering in a stable condition. Investigators are still working to identify the remaining 14 deceased.
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Police probe multiple motives
Authorities are pursuing several lines of inquiry into the attack, including robbery, retaliation, and a possible connection to illegal mining operations active in the surrounding area. Eight suspects are being sought in connection with the shooting.
The Wedela attack formed part of a broader weekend of tavern violence across South Africa. On the same night, a separate mass shooting at a venue in Lwandle Township, Cape Town, claimed ten lives. Combined, the two incidents resulted in 27 deaths. Law enforcement officials are continuing to search for the perpetrators responsible across both crime scenes.
Source: Getty Images
Cyril Ramaphosa weighs in on mass shooting
In a related article, Briefly News reported on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s response to the Wedela tavern shooting, which left 18 people dead. Police say technology is helping security forces track eight suspected gunmen.
Only four of the deceased have been identified, while five injured people remain critically wounded. Investigators are examining several possible motives, including robbery, retaliation and links to illegal mining.
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Source: Briefly News
