Gauteng forensic investigators at the crime scene at Bekkersdaal on 21 December 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda / The Citizen The case linked to the deadly KwaNoxolo tavern mass shooting in Bekkersdal has been postponed as the police hunt for five suspects. Five men, believed to be illegal miners from Lesotho, appeared in the Westonaria Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
This follows their first court appearance on 30 December, at which they chose to withdraw their bail applications while awaiting an identity parade. The policearrested 11 peoplein Westonaria on Christmas Eve last year as part of investigations into the 21 December mass shooting that claimed the lives of 10 people. The group included nine Lesotho nationals, one Mozambican national, and one South African citizen, who were alleged to be employed by the Sibanye-Stillwater mine.
At the time of the arrests, the police recovered an AK-47 rifle, four pistols and ammunition. Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Masondo informed the media outside the court on Monday that the matter has been postponed to late January to allow investigators to continue their probe into the case. He added that the identity parade has not yet taken place. “Part of our investigation is to establish or to find out if these suspects are also linked to the shooting of the Bekkersdal,” Masondo said.
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