South African authorities initiated an extensive search on May 17, 2025, following a mass shooting that resulted in eight fatalities at a tavern in Umlazi township, located south of Durban. The incident, which transpired on the night of May 16, highlights the country’s ongoing challenges with gun-related violence.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) reported that multiple gunmen entered a residence in the Zama informal settlement within Umlazi’s U Section and opened fire on the patrons. First responders encountered a tragic scene, with victims found in pools of blood, each having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the victims included six men and two women, ranging in age from 22 to 40 years. Emergency services, including ALS Paramedics, arrived after 9 p.m. to find police had already secured the area.
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson detailed the aftermath: “Six males and two females were declared deceased on the scene due to the multiple gunshot wounds they had sustained.”
Provincial authorities have tasked a specialized investigative team with handling the case, although the motive for the killings remains unknown. Preliminary reports suggest robbery was not the primary intent behind the attack.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli visited the scene on May 17, stressing the importance of community involvement in addressing crime. Ntuli noted that the area had experienced a similar mass shooting in 2022, indicating a persistent pattern of violence.
He emphasized that solving these mass shootings requires the cooperation of the community, pointing out that local residents often know the suspects but are reluctant to report them to authorities.
The Umlazi community is deeply affected by the shooting. Residents have voiced increasing concerns about safety, urging for a more substantial police presence and more efficient strategies to tackle violent crime.
The incident underscores the harsh reality of gun violence in South Africa, a nation with one of the highest murder rates globally. Police statistics indicate an average of 75 murders daily, with firearms significantly contributing to these deaths.
Crime data from the government shows that 6,953 individuals were murdered in South Africa between October and December 2024. The country’s ongoing battle with violent crime is often associated with gang activities, with shootings frequently occurring in taverns and social venues.
The widespread availability of both legal and illegal firearms exacerbates the issue. While many South Africans possess licensed guns for self-defense, authorities believe there are substantially more illegal weapons circulating in the country.
Organizations such as Gun Free South Africa have pointed out the worrying increase in gun violence, noting that firearms are involved in over 40% of murders and 58% of attempted murders nationwide.
This recent incident follows other notable shootings in South Africa. In September 2024, gunmen executed seven family members, including three children. In January 2025, another shooting claimed eight lives outside a tavern in Pienaar, Mpumalanga.
The Umlazi shooting also comes weeks after the April 2025 abduction of U.S. missionary Josh Sullivan, who was taken during a church service. Sullivan was rescued in a police operation that led to the deaths of three suspects.
Visible bullet holes now mark the tavern’s walls where the eight victims perished, serving as a stark reminder of the violence impacting many South African communities.
As of May 21, 2025, police have confirmed that the Umlazi shooting was a targeted attack, and the search for the suspects continues.
