South African authorities started a comprehensive search on May 17, 2025, after a fatal mass shooting led to eight fatalities at a tavern in Umlazi township, south of Durban. The late-night attack on May 16 highlights the ongoing gun violence issues in the country.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) reported that several unidentified gunmen entered a residence in the Zama informal settlement within Umlazi’s U Section, firing upon the patrons. Responders arrived to find the victims in pools of blood, suffering from multiple gunshot injuries.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda stated that the victims comprised six men and two women, ranging in age from 22 to 40 years. Emergency services, including ALS Paramedics, reached the scene after 9 p.m. to discover the police had already secured the area.
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson described the scene: “Six males and two females were declared deceased on the scene due to the multiple gunshot wounds they had sustained.”
Provincial authorities have allocated a specialized investigative team to this case, with the motive still undetermined. Initial findings indicate that robbery might not have been the primary motive.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli visited the crime scene on May 17, stressing the importance of community participation in crime prevention. Ntuli pointed out that a similar mass killing occurred in this area in 2022, signifying a concerning trend of violence.
He emphasized that community cooperation is crucial in addressing these incidents, noting that local residents often know the perpetrators but are reluctant to report them to the authorities.
The Umlazi community is deeply unsettled by the shooting. Residents have voiced increasing concerns about safety, urging for more police presence and effective measures to tackle violent crime in the township.
The incident underscores the troubling reality of gun violence in South Africa, a nation with one of the highest murder rates globally. Police data indicates the country experiences about 75 murders daily, with firearms being a significant factor.
Government crime statistics reveal that 6,953 people were murdered in South Africa from October to December 2024. The country’s persistent violent crime is often associated with gang activities, with shootings frequently occurring in taverns and public gathering places.
The widespread presence of both legal and illegal firearms exacerbates the issue. While many South Africans possess licensed firearms for self-defense, authorities believe that illegal weapons are more prevalent.
Organizations such as Gun Free South Africa have pointed out the significant rise in gun-related violence, noting that firearms are the primary instrument in over 40% of murders and 58% of attempted murders nationwide.
This incident follows other notable shootings in South Africa. In September 2024, gunmen executed seven family members, including three children. Another incident in January 2025 involved eight people shot and killed outside a tavern in Pienaar, Mpumalanga.
The Umlazi shooting also comes weeks after the April 2025 abduction of U.S. missionary Josh Sullivan, taken from his church during a sermon. Sullivan was later rescued in a police operation that resulted in the deaths of three suspects.
Bullet holes now scar the walls of the tavern where the eight victims died, serving as a stark reminder of the ongoing violence affecting many South African communities.
As of May 19, 2025, police have confirmed that the Umlazi shooting was a targeted attack, and the search for the suspects continues.
