On May 17, 2025, South African authorities began a major manhunt following a deadly mass shooting that resulted in eight fatalities at a tavern in Umlazi township, located south of Durban. The incident, which occurred late on May 16, highlights the nation’s ongoing battle with gun violence.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) reported that an unknown number of gunmen entered a structure at the Zama informal settlement in Umlazi’s U Section and began shooting at patrons. Upon arrival, first responders found victims lying in pools of blood, each suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Colonel Robert Netshiunda, a spokesperson for KwaZulu-Natal police, stated that the victims were comprised of six men and two women, aged between 22 and 40. Emergency services, including ALS Paramedics, arrived after 9 p.m. to find that police had already secured the area.
Garrith Jamieson, a spokesperson for ALS Paramedics, described the scene as follows: “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 the case, although the motive behind the shootings is still undetermined. Initial findings indicate that robbery was likely not the primary motive.
On May 17, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli visited the crime scene, stressing the importance of community participation in tackling crime. Ntuli noted that the area experienced a similar mass shooting in 2022, signaling a troubling trend of violence in the region.
He emphasized the necessity of community cooperation, suggesting that local residents often know the perpetrators but are reluctant to report them to law enforcement.
The Umlazi community has been left deeply unsettled by the shooting. Residents have expressed increasing concerns about safety in the township, with many demanding a more robust police presence and better strategies for addressing violent crime.
This incident underscores the harsh reality of gun violence in South Africa, a country with one of the world’s highest murder rates. According to police data, the nation averages about 75 murders daily, with firearms being a significant factor in these deaths.
Government crime statistics reveal that 6,953 people were murdered in South Africa between October and December 2024 alone. The ongoing struggle with violent crime is often associated with gang activity, with shootings frequently occurring at taverns and social venues.
The widespread availability of both legal and illegal firearms exacerbates the problem. While many South Africans possess licensed guns for personal protection, authorities estimate that there are far more illegal weapons circulating in the country.
Organizations such as Gun Free South Africa have pointed out the alarming increase in gun-related violence, noting that firearms are identified as the primary tool in over 40% of murders and 58% of attempted murders nationwide.
This recent incident follows several other high-profile shootings in South Africa. In September 2024, gunmen killed seven members of the same family, including three children, in an execution-style attack. In another incident from January 2025, eight people were shot outside a tavern in Pienaar, Mpumalanga.
The Umlazi shooting also occurred just weeks after the April 2025 abduction of U.S. missionary Josh Sullivan, who was taken from his church while delivering a sermon. Sullivan was later rescued during a police operation that resulted in the deaths of three suspects.
The tavern where the eight victims perished now bears visible bullet holes, serving as a stark reminder of the violence that continues to affect many South African communities.
As of May 19, 2025, police have confirmed that the Umlazi shooting was a targeted attack. A manhunt for the suspects is ongoing.