JOHANNESBURG, July 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A memorial service for 16 people killed in a random shooting was held in South Africa’s Soweto township, close to Johannesburg.
Around 200 people, including family members of the deceased and some politicians, came to mourn the victims nearby the tavern where the shooting happened.
A participant whose nephew was killed in the shooting said the tragedy left her family traumatized. “I’m pleading for help as guns are used day and night,” she said.
A group of men armed with rifles and 9 mm pistols entered the tavern in the early hours of Sunday morning and started shooting randomly at customers sitting inside, killing 12 people on the scene and injuring 11 others. Four people later died from their wounds.
Police are investigating the incident; no arrests have been made so far. The Policie minister said a manhunt had been launched for five suspects in the Soweto shooting.
Speaking to the bereaved families, Ruby Mathang, an ANC member vowed the government had heeded their pleas: “The leadership that is here has heard all what you’ve said. They’ve heard your pain. They need to make sure that those who are involved in this shooting must be punished, they must be punished.“
To avoid a repeat of the tragedy and stop the rampant crime wave sweeping South Africa, activists have urged the government to reduce gun availability.
The 2019/2020 police crime statistics reports over 7,000 gun murders. — NNN-AGENCIES
