By Mapaballo Borotho

- The death toll from the Wedela tavern shooting in Gauteng’s West Rand has risen to 18 after another victim died in hospital.
- Police have updated the charges to include 18 counts of murder, 18 counts of attempted murder, two counts of malicious damage to property and armed robbery.
- Eight armed suspects remain at large as police work to establish a motive and trace those responsible.
The death toll from the Wedela tavern shooting in the West Rand, Gauteng, has risen to 18 following the death of another victim in hospital.
The increase has prompted Gauteng police to update the charges to 18 counts of murder, 18 counts of attempted murder, two counts of malicious damage to property and armed robbery.
“Only four of the deceased have been identified, two South Africans and two Lesotho nationals.
All the injured victims in hospital have been identified. According to information provided to the police, five were shot in the upper body and are critically wounded, while the others are in a stable condition,” said Gauteng police spokesperson Brenda Muridili.
The shooting occurred on Saturday evening, 26 September 2026, after eight unidentified armed men opened fire at a tavern, killing and injuring several people.
People were drinking both inside and outside the tavern when the suspects arrived and opened fire on those outside.
The suspects then entered the tavern and continued shooting at patrons inside.
They were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols. The suspects further searched some patrons and took their cell phones before fleeing the scene in two unidentified motor vehicles.
Two vehicles were also set alight during the incident.
The motive for the shooting remains unknown at this stage.
Gauteng police have mobilised a team of detectives and other specialised units to trace and apprehend the suspects.
READ NEXT: