Family defends Bekkersdal tavern owner following arrest for fraudulent license

The family of a Bekkersdal tavern owner remains adamant about her innocence following her arrest on Tuesday. Nonesi Matwa was taken into custody for allegedly operating her establishment with a fraudulent liquor license.

The arrest follows a tragic mass shooting at the tavern early Sunday morning, which resulted in the deaths of nine people.

Acting Gauteng Police Commissioner Fred Kekana visited the area today to meet with the families of the shooting victims. During the visit, Kekana clarified that while Matwa had previously claimed her documentation was legitimate, a formal investigation proved otherwise.

READ: Bekkersdal tavern owner arrested following mass shooting

"The license seemed genuine, hence it took a day for us to verify with the liquor board," Kekana stated.

"They just sent us statements to confirm that it is a fraudulent license."

The arrest was met with significant resistance from Matwa’s relatives. Family members attempted to intervene as police took her into custody, questioning the grounds for her detainment in light of the weekend' violence.

"Where is she going? I want to know where she is going," one family member shouted during the altercation. "This person did not kill anyone. I don't understand why we are not being told [where she is being taken]."

While the family maintains that Matwa is being unfairly targeted, police officials have emphasised that the arrest is specifically linked to the legality of the business operations and the falsified documents discovered during the post-shooting probe.