Nine shot dead, 8 others injured while drinking at North West informal settlement | News24

Nine people have been shot dead in North West.

• Nine people were shot dead in the yard of an informal settlement.
• The victims were drinking when assailants opened fire.
• The motive is unknown, and no one has been arrested.

A team of police investigators in the North West has been assembled to arrest a gang which opened fire, killing nine people and injuring eight others.

According to the police, a group attacked the victims who were enjoying themselves at Popo Molefe informal settlement in Boitekong, outside Rustenburg, on 16 December.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the victims were in a yard when the assailants arrived.

“A group of mainly Xhosa-speaking individuals were sitting in a yard, drinking liquor, when an unconfirmed number of Sesotho-speaking suspects opened fire on them. As a result, five males and four females died instantly. Moreover, eight persons were reported to be injured,” Mokgwabone said.

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The motive behind the mass shooting is unknown.

“The motive is yet to be determined, and no one has been arrested. Investigations into the matter continue,” Mokgwabone said.

Provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Sello Kwena has established a dedicated team to investigate the incident.

“Kwena has condemned this horrific and pointless incident. He indicated that the police would work around the clock to ensure justice was served. He also urged the community to remain calm and allow the police to do the investigations,” said Mokgwabone.