Man accused of shooting 5 people dead in Bronkhorstspruit due in court

A man accused of shooting dead five people in Zithobeni township in Bronkhorstspruit will make his first appearance before the local magistrate's court on Thursday.

Earlier in October, five people were killed and six others sustained injuries after two armed men opened fire at a local tavern.

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One of the suspects was arrested on Tuesday after police traced him back to Zithobeni, the township where the incident happened.

He faces charges including five counts of murder and six counts of attempted murder.

According to police, five of the victims who were admitted to hospital have since been discharged, while the sixth is still receiving treatment.

The 5 October incident that occurred at Qedukoma Tavern in Zithobeni sent shockwaves in the community and the country at large.

Witnesses reported that two men known by locals entered the tavern and demanded that one of the patrons hand over his licensed firearm.

They said a shot went off, and when the patrons ran outside, the suspects fired randomly, resulting in the deaths of five people and the injury of several others.

Police are still on the hunt for the second suspect and are confident they will make an arrest soon.