PROJECT: PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE ROLE ILLEGAL SHEBEENS AND TAVERNS PLAYED IN CRIME (PART 1)
- Isabel Spies
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
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A mass shooting occurred at an illegal tavern within the Saulsville Hostel in Tshwane, South Africa,
on Saturday, December 6, 2025, resulting in 12 deaths and 13 injuries.
Three gunmen stormed the premises around 4:15 a.m. and opened fire on patrons.
KEY DETAILS:
VICTIMS:
A total of 25 people were shot.
12 died, including three children aged 3, 12, and 16 who were reportedly sleeping in a bedroom at the time.
The other 14 victims were injured and treated in the hospital.
Several members of the same family were affected, losing three relatives and having six others hospitalised.
LOCATION:
The incident took place at an unlicensed bar, known locally as a "shebeen," operating within a hostel.
Police have since laid charges against the tavern owner, who was also wounded in the shooting.
MOTIVE AND INVESTIGATION:
The motive for the shooting is still under investigation, but police have identified three "persons of interest" and believe arrests are imminent.
Authorities are investigating potential links to the taxi industry or gang violence.
An AK-47 automatic rifle was confirmed to have been used in the commission of the crime.
South Africa has experienced several mass shootings at shebeens and taverns in recent years, which police and analysts link to the proliferation of illegal firearms, organised crime, extortion, and social pressures.
These incidents are a recurring problem, with a particularly notable spate of violence in July 2022 and ongoing events in 2024 and 2025.
KEY MASS SHOOTINGS AT THESE TYPES OF VENUES INCLUDE:
Soweto (July 2022): The deadliest single incident occurred at Mdlalose's Tavern in the Orlando East township, where a group of armed men opened fire on patrons, killing 16 people and injuring seven others.
Saulsville (Pretoria) Tavern Mass Shooting (December 2025): Three gunmen entered an illegal shebeen operating inside a hostel in Saulsville township and opened fire on patrons, killing at least 11–12 people, including three children, and injuring many others. A manhunt for the suspects is underway.
Soweto Orlando East Tavern Massacre (9 July 2022): Armed men opened fire at a tavern in Orlando East, Soweto, killing 16 people and injuring several more as they shot patrons at random.
Pietermaritzburg (Sweetwaters) Tavern Shooting (9 July 2022): On the same night as the Soweto attack, gunmen entered the Samukelisiwe tavern in Pietermaritzburg and shot indiscriminately, killing four people and wounding eight others.
Choba Tavern Shooting (2025): In the Choba informal settlement of Olievenhoutbosch, a deadly tavern shooting resulted in six patrons being killed; the incident was linked to gang-related turf conflict affecting illegal tavern environments.
Zithobeni Tavern Mass Shooting (2025): In Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, two gunmen entered a tavern and, after a dispute over a firearm, opened fire on patrons; the attack claimed five lives and injured additional people.
Note on the Enyobeni Tavern tragedy (June 2022): While not a shooting massacre, the Enyobeni Tavern disaster in East London (21 youths died) is frequently referenced in discussions about tavern-related fatalities in South Africa, but investigations did not conclude that gunfire was the cause. It underscores the broader safety and regulation issues at informal drinking venues.
KEY DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN A SHEBEEN AND A TAVERN:
FEATURE | SHEBEEN: | TAVERN: |
LEGAL STATUS: | Historically unlicensed and illegal. | A formally licensed and regulated business. |
LOCATION: | Situated within residential areas, often the owner's home, or in informal settlements. | Typically located in central business districts or commercial areas, near other shops and facilities. |
ATMOSPHERE/ROLE: | Served as vital community hubs and safe spaces during apartheid, offering a place for cultural expression and political discussion. | Generally, a formal pub or bar, though modern taverns still play a significant social role in communities. |
REGULATION: | Subject to frequent police raids and a flexible, often arbitrary, approach to enforcement. | Subject to formal liquor laws and trading hours. |
HISTORICAL CONTEXT IN SOUTH AFRICA:
The term "shebeen" originated in Ireland as a term for an illicit bar.
In South Africa, shebeens gained prominence during the apartheid era (pre-1994) because discriminatory laws made it difficult for Black business owners to obtain formal liquor licenses and restricted where Black people could socialise.
Shebeens, often run by women known as "shebeen queens," became integral to township life, providing not just alcohol, but also food, music, and a place to socialise away from the oppression of the state.
MODERN USAGE:
Today, the terms are often used interchangeably, as many previously informal shebeens are now legal, licensed establishments operating under a "tavern" license or a "shebeen permit".
Both are now part of the fabric of South African social life, providing a uniquely local experience with traditional food and a vibrant atmosphere.
Illegal taverns and shebeens present significant dangers, primarily linked to high rates of violent crime,
the use of illegal firearms, and the sale of potentially unsafe products.
These unlicensed establishments operate outside the law, creating environments that pose serious risks to patrons and surrounding communities.
DANGERS:
VIOLENT CRIMES AND SAFETY RISKS:
MASS SHOOTINGS:
Unlicensed taverns have been the site of numerous mass shootings, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries, including those of minors.
HOMICIDES AND ASSAULTS:
These venues are frequently associated with homicides and violent incidents that occur inside, just outside, or on the way home from the premises.
Fights often break out over minor disputes like accidentally spilt drinks or unpaid debts.
ORGANISED CRIME AND FIREARMS:
The prevalence of illegal firearms and organised criminal activity exacerbates safety issues.
Police often conduct operations to shut down these establishments and seize illegal weapons.
LACK OF SECURITY:
Unlike legal, regulated establishments, illegal shebeens often lack adequate security measures, surveillance systems, and trained staff to handle emergencies or conflict, making them vulnerable to criminal activity.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES:
UNREGULATED AND UNSAFE PRODUCTS:
Some illegal shebeens have been known to sell dangerous concoctions, such as "skokiaan" or "barberton," in addition to illegally traded or counterfeit alcohol, posing severe health risks to consumers.
PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES:
Heavy or "binge" drinking, often encouraged in these environments, leads to significant alcohol-related diseases and acute intoxication, with broader social and health impacts on poor communities.
SOCIAL AND FAMILY BREAKDOWN:
The excessive consumption of alcohol can contribute to social problems, including family violence, child neglect, and overall family disruption.
REGULATORY AND COMMUNITY IMPACT:
ILLEGAL OPERATION:
By definition, these establishments operate without the necessary liquor licenses, violating the law and making them targets for police raids and closures.
ECONOMIC STRAIN ON LEGAL BUSINESSES:
The presence of illegal outlets that do not adhere to regulations or pay taxes creates unfair competition for law-abiding, licensed taverns.
COMMUNITY DISRUPTION:
Illegal taverns are often magnets for various forms of criminal and antisocial behaviour, which can traumatise local residents and destabilise neighbourhoods.
CHALLENGES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT:
The sheer number of illegal outlets makes full enforcement challenging.
Police work with communities to shut them down and encourage owners to follow the legal process to obtain a liquor license.
Current actions in South Africa to curb violence at illegal taverns and shebeens primarily
involve intensified law enforcement operations, closure of unlicensed outlets, and strategies to promote licensed establishments.
Please read our follow-up project for interventions against and the prevention of such crimes.
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