Zama Zama
1Min
South Africa
Dec 30, 2025
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the shooting and a growing nexus of crime, law enforcement and legal systems face increasing pressure to address the urgent public safety concerns stemming from illegal mining and gun violence.
The case against five men charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition has been adjourned until 5 January, following their abandonment of a bail application earlier this week.
The suspects, whose identities are being withheld pending an ID parade, are believed to have ties to a tragic Christmas Eve shooting at the KwaNoxolo tavern in Bekkersdal, where nine lives were lost and ten others were injured.
Among the five accused are nationals from Lesotho, who face additional charges relating to the Immigration Act.
Their involvement in the mass shooting is being investigated, particularly as all eleven individuals apprehended in connection to the incident are suspected to have links to unlawful mining, commonly referred to as zama zama operations.
Law enforcement agencies have reported that these illegal activities and connectivity to armed groups present significant safety threats to communities in the Westonaria area.
The group of five is charged with the possession of live ammunition and unlicensed firearms, as well as accusations of defeating the ends of justice.
Authorities seized an extensive arsenal during operations aimed at cracking down on illegal mining activities, which involved random searches where law enforcement uncovered an AK-47 rifle, four pistols, and numerous rounds of ammunition.
In high-drama fashion, eight of the eleven suspects were detained in two residential buildings after security personnel executed a raid, uncovering firearms ready for use and materials potentially linked to hazardous activities, including a suspicious bottle thought to contain mercury.
In the wake of the KwaNoxolo tavern massacre, Gauteng Deputy Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana provided chilling details, stating that patrons were forced to flee as 12 gunmen, some wearing balaclavas, suddenly opened fire without warning.
“Out of the blue, unprovoked, they attacked, randomly shot people. Some of the people tried to run away,” Kekana noted, offering a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk within Johannesburg’s informal settlements.
As the investigation continues, the six additional suspects remain uncharged, awaiting further judicial actions. In a related development, KwaNoxolo tavern owner Nanesi Matwa has appeared separately in court charged with operating without a liquor license.
Her matter has been postponed until 31 December 2025 for profiling, compounding the turmoil surrounding the tavern and its operations.
