NEWS & POLITICS
Six Lesotho nationals killed in Meyerton shooting on R59 in Gauteng
South African police have confirmed that all six victims killed in the Meyerton shooting were Lesotho nationals, after gunmen ambushed a minibus taxi traveling along the R59 road in Gauteng province, south of Johannesburg.
Noluthando Buthelezi
MEYERTON, South Africa | February 10 (Running Africa) —
According to police reports, the attackers deliberately rammed the minibus before opening fire, causing the vehicle to overturn. Six people were shot dead, while 18 others sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. The deadly ambush has intensified concerns over violent crime in South Africa, particularly along major transport routes.
Authorities said the firearm attack occurred in the early hours near Meyerton, a town already grappling with rising crime. Investigators revealed that the vehicle used by the suspects had been reported stolen in Mpumalanga province in September last year. Following the shooting, the suspects allegedly hijacked another vehicle along Johan Le Roux Road before fleeing the scene.
Image: timeslive.co.za
The motive behind the mass killing in Meyerton remains unclear, and police have stressed that investigations are ongoing.
The incident comes amid a broader surge in deadly shootings in South African townships and informal settlements. In December, nine people were killed and 10 wounded when gunmen opened fire at the KwaNoxolo Tavern in Bekkersdal, triggering a nationwide manhunt. Around the same period, another mass shooting at an unlicensed tavern in Atteridgeville, near Pretoria, left more than a dozen people dead — including children — reigniting calls for stronger law enforcement and community safety measures.
Image: aljazeera.com: Forensic teams examine the scene following an early-morning shooting in Bekkersdal township, southwest of Johannesburg, South Africa.
While police say there are no confirmed links between those attacks and the Meyerton shooting, the pattern has underscored mounting public anxiety over gun violence across the country.
Following a coordinated operation involving multiple law enforcement units, three suspects were arrested. Acting Gauteng Police Commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana confirmed that the suspects are expected to appear in court soon. They face six counts of murder, 18 counts of attempted murder, as well as charges related to carjacking and possession of a hijacked vehicle.
Police have urged anyone with additional information to come forward as investigations continue.
