By: Natasha Archary
The death toll in the Soweto tavern shooting has climbed to 16, as another victim succumbed to their gunshot wounds.
Twelve people were found dead on the scene on Sunday, 10 July, and three others died en-route to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
Twenty three people were shot at Mdalose Tavern in Nomzamo informal settlement in Orlando, Soweto.
Over the weekend, the number of tavern shootings has risen, with incidents occurring in Mamelodi, Katlehong, as well as Pietermaritzburg.
There are concerns that these tavern attacks could be part of a plot to destabilise the country.
Police are yet to make an arrest in the Soweto tavern shooting but experts say a deep investigation into the motive is necessary to understand the cause of the attacks.
In all of the shooting incidents, the gunmen follow a similar pattern, storming in, firing shots randomly, then leaving.
The masked men do not rob patrons or the establishment, which raises the question of what the agenda behind the attacks are.
Law enforcement officials are not ruling out the possibility of an external party influencing these tavern attacks.
Meanwhile, Police Minister Bheki Cele has deployed the Amaberete in Nomzamo and surrounding areas.
Four people were shot and killed in PMB and 2 people lost their lives in Katlehong on Friday, 03 July. One person lost their life in a tavern in Mamelodi on Monday, 11 July.



