Mpumalanga police are hunting for armed suspects who shot three people outside a Zwelisha tavern during a robbery attempt in Pienaar on Sunday morning.
The incident occurred on February 2 around 1am, leaving three victims shot and injured.
"According to a report, the suspects are said to have entered a certain tavern at Zwelisha in Pienaar and attempted to stage a robbery," said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane.
However, what started as an attempted heist quickly spiralled out of control.
"After the robbery, on their way out, the suspects began shooting randomly outside, and it was at this moment when the three victims got shot as they were outside the tavern premises," said Ndubane.
The victims, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, were immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment. Their current conditions have not been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether the suspects managed to steal any items during the robbery.
Ndubane has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made thus far.
Authorities are urging the public to assist in the investigation.
The acting Mpumalanga police commissioner, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi has condemned the senseless violence.
“We really want answers because a few weeks ago, we had a shooting incident at another liquor store in the same area of Pienaar where many lives were lost. We cannot allow lawlessness to continue like this,” Mkhwanazi said.
He also questioned why the tavern was still operational in the early hours of the morning, indicating concerns about regulatory compliance.
"It is about the lives of people that we cannot gamble with. Be as it may, we are working around the clock to ensure that perpetrators are swiftly brought to book," he said.
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