In Gauteng, after midnight, unidentified gunmen opened fire on 23 individuals at the Nomzamo Tavern in Orlando East, killing 15, wounding 10, and causing others to be rushed to Chris Baragwanath Hospital.
The Samkelisiwe tavern in KwaNxamalala, Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg, was attacked by unidentified shooters on Saturday night, leaving four people dead. Phakama Nzimande decision to go get his jacket from home is the reason why he is still alive today.
Over the weekend, there were three brutal shootings that resulted in 22 deaths across three provinces. At least 12 people were shot and four killed on Saturday at 8.30 p.m. in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, when two males broke into the tavern and started shooting at random.
In Soweto, Gauteng, after midnight, unidentified shooters opened fire on 23 individuals at the Nomzamo Tavern in Orlando East, killing 15, wounding 10, and necessitating an emergency transport to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
Residents of Duncan Village in East London were shocked to learn that three teenagers were shot early yesterday morning, only days after the funeral of 21 teenagers who perished at the Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park.
Nkosingiphile Nsele, a friend of Nzimande’s from KwaZulu-Natal, was one of the four victims of the shooting.“We arrived here early in the evening and bought three beers and went about enjoying ourselves. When it started getting colder that is when I decided to go put on a jacket at home, not knowing that this would happen. I am beyond shocked at my friend’s death,” said Nzimande.
He described his friend as a person who lived his life quietly and unbothering. “I really want to know why anyone would want to kill my friend because he was not a source of unpleasantness.”At around 8.30 p.m., two guys entered the tavern and started shooting at the customers, Captain Nqobile Gwala, a KZN police spokeswoman, said. At least 12 people were shot.“Two people died at the scene and two died later while the other eight were admitted to the hospital for treatment. The deceased are aged between 30 and 45. Charges of murder and attempted murder are being investigated currently,” said Gwala.
She said that a team of investigators led by the Provincial Organized Crime Investigation Unit had been established by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the provincial commissioner, and included members of Crime Intelligence, forensic specialists, and the tactical unit.Mbuyiseni Mntambo, the owner of the tavern, expressed horror at the shooting and said he had never witnessed such drama.
“I have been running this outlet since 1992 and can tell you without any fear of contradiction that we have never had anything like this happen on our premises. It is quite shocking. A man came out of the tavern and casually concealed his gun before getting in a Polo, which then drove off,” Mntambo explained.
Tembinkosi Kinana, a police spokesperson in East London, stated that although an investigation has been started, no arrests have yet been made. “According to the report, two of the three were found dead at Msimango Street with gunshot wounds to their upper bodies, and close to them was a white Toyota Corolla, while the third person was transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Police have registered two murder cases and one of attempted murder for investigation. No arrest has been made. The motive of the shooting is unknown at this stage. Police investigation continues,” said Kinana.
On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa sent his sympathies to the most recent shooting victims. “As a government, citizens, and structures of civil society we must all work together even more closely to improve social and economic conditions in communities, reduce violent crime and stamp out the illicit circulation of firearms.” Said, the president.
“It took me 20 minutes to know that my life had been spared.” These are the remarks of an anonymous patron at Nomzamo Tavern in Orlando East, Soweto. The witness said that the shooting lasted about 10 minutes.
“People died in front of me. Some were screaming in pain. Alcohol was scattered. After killing people, including my friend, the gunmen slowly walked away. I don’t know how I was spared because one of the men carrying a pistol was near me. I looked him in the eyes, and he walked away. A few minutes after they had left, I called an ambulance. Paramedics responded that they were afraid to come and were waiting for the police to escort them. Some cars arrived outside, loaded the injured, and were all driven to the hospital.” he said.
Faith Mazibuko, MEC for Community Safety, claimed that when the shooting started, people were “hanging around” innocently. Some illicit businesses, according to Mazibuko, are a factor in crime. “I indicated earlier that sometimes, this is where our people hang out. This is part of the township economy to help our people increase the economy of the township. Ensuring they comply is one matter we have been sitting on. Most are complying.”
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