UPDATE: Death toll rises to 8 in Mpumalanga mass shooting

JOHANNESBURG - Another person in the Mpumalanga mass shooting has succumbed to their injuries in hospital, bringing the death toll to eight. 

Earlier on Saturday, a group of unknown gunmen opened fire outside a tavern in Pienaar, near Nelspruit.

A total of six people died on the spot while an unconfirmed number were rushed to a nearby hospital.

Earlier on Saturday, Mpumalanga said one of the people who were taken to hospital succumbed to their injuries on Saturday morning.

Later in the day, another person died, police confirmed.

Police spokesperson, Jabu Ndubane said among the dead are five adult men and one adult woman.

“Those people that were shot at, they were not drinking inside the bar lodge, they just came and parked (outside) as they saw the tavern was still open. According to the bar lodge owner, he was already closed (when the shooting happened) just that he was scared to come and close as earlier on there was one person who started shooting outside and left.”

TWO TAKEN IN FOR QUESTIONING

Mpumalanga police said two people had been taken in for questioning over the mass shooting.

“...Information is two females were found in a car and taken in for questioning concerning what transpired.”

Ndubane said the motive for the killings was still unknown, and police were investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.