Gauteng government vows crackdown on illegal taverns after Bekkersdal mass shooting

Gauteng Acting Premier Jacob Mamabolo said that the provincial government is committed to clamping down on illegal liquor outlets.

Gauteng authorities have vowed to intensify their crackdown on illegal liquor outlets following a deadly mass shooting in Bekkersdal that left nine people dead and several others injured.

Police have launched a manhunt for 12 suspects believed to be behind the attack.

Police said a group of about a dozen people travelling in a white combi and a silver sedan stormed the establishment and began shooting randomly.

Nine people died at the scene, while ten others were injured.

The shooting follows a series of recent tavern attacks across the province.

Mamabolo said government will take decisive action against operators trading without licences.

This also follows action by the City of Johannesburg’s Public Safety Department against an unauthorised street party in Soweto. During that incident, four boys were attacked and one was killed.

Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety Mgcini Tshwaku has since called for the banning of street bashes during the festive season.