The Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has expressed concern over the ongoing gun violence in the province.

This follows an incident in which five people were shot dead at a tavern in Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit.

According to preliminary reports, six other people were wounded after two suspects entered the tavern in the early hours of yesterday. The suspects reportedly demanded that one of the patrons hand over his firearm to them, after which the shooting ensued.

The committee says the tragedy underscores the urgent need to address an increase in violent crimes due to the proliferation of firearms in social spaces such as taverns.

The committee’s chairperson Dr Bandile Masuku says, “The Committee is alarmed by the brazenness of the perpetrators and the apparent ease with which firearms are accessed and used to commit heinous crimes. The Committee notes with concern that this incident comes shortly after the release of the national and provincial crime statistics for the last quarter. While these statistics provide a broad overview of crime trends, they do not sufficiently isolate and highlight the growing threat posed by gun-related violence in our province.”

#sapsGP #SAPS Bronkhorstspruit responded to a shooting incident at a tavern in Zithobeni, on 05/10 at about 01:30, where 5 people were killed and 6 were injured.

It is reported by witnesses that two men, known in the community, came into the tavern and demanded that one of the… pic.twitter.com/pEWW5UeQ7u

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) October 5, 2025

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