2022 Pietermaritzburg shooting
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| 2022 Pietermaritzburg shooting | |
|---|---|
  Pietermaritzburg Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) | |
| Location | Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Date | 9 July 2022 |
Attack type | Mass shooting |
| Weapon | 9mm pistol |
| Deaths | 4 |
| Injured | 8 |
| Perpetrators | 2 suspects arrested; names withheld |
No. of participants | 2–4 |
On 9 July 2022, a mass shooting occurred at the Samukelisiwe tavern at Sweetwaters in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The shooting left four people dead and eight others injured.
At about 8:30 pm, two men entered Sweetwaters tavern in Pietermaritzburg, where they shot 12 patrons at random with a 9mm pistol.[1] Two people died at the scene, and two more died in the hospital. The deceased were between the ages of 30 and 45. Eight others were injured during the attack.[2] There was no conversation or fight that led to the shooting, and no one was robbed.[3] The gunmen fled in a Volkswagen Polo.[4]
On the same day, 15 people were killed in a mass shooting at a tavern in Soweto. However, police do not believe these shootings are linked.[5]
Investigation
6 bullet shells, 1 live round, 16 cartridges, and a 9mm pistol were found at the scene. Forensic experts, members of crime intelligence, and a tactical unit led by the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Unit were sent to Pietermaritzburg to investigate the shooting.[6]
Between 11 and 12 July 2022, police arrested four suspects, aged between 19 and 36, in connection with the shooting.[7] Two of the suspects were found with an illegally obtained firearm and 17 rounds of ammunition when they were arrested. The two other suspects were released due to a lack of evidence.[8]