Free State police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, says the shooting at the tavern on Sunday evening was, in fact, the aftermath of a robbery at a nearby tuckshop. He says the first sighting of suspects in the ambush was reported at around 19:05, whilst the robbery was taking place.

According to Makhele, a police vehicle passed by the tuckshop at this time, and the suspects – between three and four people - began firing in the vehicle’s direction. No police official was hit by the hail of bullets emerging from the tuckshop, says Makhele. 

Shortly thereafter, the suspects fled to a nearby tavern, ambushing the patrons by opening fire in the establishment. Initially, when emergency medical services arrived at the scene, only two injuries were reported from the tavern shooting, specifically. However, it later emerged, that one person was taken to a nearby hospital in a private vehicle, whilst seven others approached the Van Stadensrus Police Station to open cases, with gunshot wounds sustained in the same incident. This brings the number of casualties to ten.

Makhele says the gang responsible for the shooting, is still at large. He says at this stage, all they know is that there are between three and four suspects in total. Free State police urge anyone with additional information on the incident to come forward. The injured are continuing to receive medical attention.

The incident comes almost six months after seven people were murdered when a lone gunman opened fire on patrons at a tavern in Khayelitsha township in Cape Town. Six more people, including a minor, were also injured in the bloodbath. A 32-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident a day after the incident. 

At that stage, Western Cape law enforcement said more arrests were imminent in the matter.

OFM News