WATCH: Disturbing moment armed men storm a club and rob everyone

In recent years, taverns and clubs across South Africa have become hotspots for violent crimes, including armed robberies and mass shootings, contributing to the country's high rates of murder and assault. With an average of 75 killings and 400 robberies with aggravating circumstances reported daily, these establishments reflect broader issues of crime and insecurity.

Mass shootings in taverns have claimed numerous lives in isolated but recurring incidents. In July 2022, gunmen opened fire at a tavern in Soweto's Orlando area, killing 16 people. That same month, separate attacks on taverns resulted in 19 deaths across Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Police classified these as random acts, with over 130 empty AK-47 cartridges found at one scene, indicating heavy firepower. In September 2024, 17 people were killed in two shootings in the rural town of Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape. October 2024 saw seven fatalities when a tavern owner fired into a crowd following an altercation.

The trend continued into 2025. In January, eight people were shot dead outside a tavern in Pienaar, near Nelspruit. May brought another deadly incident in Durban, where gunmen killed eight patrons at a tavern, leaving bodies in pools of blood. In July, five individuals—two women and three men—were gunned down at a tavern in Shoba informal settlement, Olievenhoutbosch, near Pretoria, with three others injured; ten suspects fled the scene after firing randomly without speaking. Also in May, eight were killed in a tavern shooting in Umlazi township, Durban.

Robberies in these venues often turn violent, exacerbating the risks. In March 2025, armed assailants stormed a tavern, robbing patrons at gunpoint. April saw five people shot during a robbery at a tavern in Meadowlands, Soweto. By August, robbers in another incident not only stole valuables but forced victims to twerk before fleeing. Security firms have noted a rise in targeted attacks on bars and restaurants, particularly during events like sports matches.

These crimes are linked to alcohol consumption, with studies indicating that 27% to 50% of homicides in South Africa involve liquor outlets. Taverns, often in townships, mirror the nation's broader violent crime landscape, where murder rates are among the world's highest. Police have launched manhunts in many cases, but perpetrators frequently remain at large, underscoring challenges in law enforcement.