According to South African police, seven people were fatally shot in a town southwest of Johannesburg before the gunman took his own life on Sunday. This marks the latest in a series of mass shootings that have rocked South Africa.
Five family members, including a three-year-old boy in Mokokotlong, which is over 40 kilometres (24 miles) southwest of Johannesburg were among the victims. A neighbour and a family friend were also killed.
According to a police statement, the shooting occurred after a man visited a local tavern and, upon finding it closed, became involved in an altercation with the tavern owner, who then followed him home.
Police say the tavern owner opened fire at the family members who had gathered to celebrate a dowry ceremony.
“The suspect then drove back home… where he allegedly shot himself. He was rushed to the hospital but he died on arrival,” police said.
Four people survived the shooting, including a one-year-old boy who was quickly transported to the hospital along with another person.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates per capita during peacetime in the world.
Last month, unknown gunmen shot and killed seven members of the same family, including three children, near the eastern coast. In a separate incident, 18 relatives were murdered at a rural homestead in the Eastern Cape Province.
According to police figures released in August, nearly 6,200 people were murdered in the country between April and June.
