Fatal Bekkersdal tavern shooting: 5 out of 11 suspects charged

Five out of the 11 suspects in the Bekkersdal shooting appeared before the Westonaria Magistrates Court on Monday.

This, while the other six are yet to be formally charged.

They five were charged with being in possession of live ammunition, having unlicensed firearms and defeating the ends of justice.

They were arrested on Christmas Eve after security guards from a mine conducted a random search for illegal miners and found 11 suspects in two houses in Westonaria.

They are believed to be involved in the KwaNoxolo tavern shooting that happened on Christmas Eve, where 10 people were killed and several others injured.

The media was denied permission to record any audio or visuals because an identity parade is yet to be conducted.

The five men who stood before the court are all Lesotho nationals.

The owner of the tavern appeared separately from the group on charges of using a fraudulent liquor license.

The five will return to court on Tuesday, while the owner of the establishment will return on 31 December 2025.