Breakthrough after eight killed at tavern!

A 39-YEAR-OLD suspect has been arrested in connection with a tragic tavern shooting incident.

This after eight people were killed outside a tavern in Pienaar, Mpumalanga, on Saturday, 11 January.

Cops have confiscated a pistol along with 13 live rounds of ammunition.

The suspect was arrested on Sunday night, 12 January.

According to reports, it's alleged that the assailants were seemingly pursuing each other from an unknown area where their fight started before ending up shooting each other at Levisa tavern.

Six of the victims died at the scene, and two succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

Three victims were left seriously injured and are still receiving medical help in hospital.

The suspect will appear in court soon.

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Mpumalanga police spokesman Brigadier Donald Mdluli said the circumstances of the incident are still under investigation.

"There is a team that has been immediately assembled to investigate this incident and also to get the perpetrators. We urge members of the public to use our platforms in order to assist us with the investigations. We have not arrested anyone so far.

"From the scene, we collected some cartridges, and there's also a suspicion that the people were shooting at each other, although it happened outside the liquor outlet. We can also indicate that we are busy with the investigations, and some of the witnesses will assist the team of investigators," he said.

Some family members gathered at the scene.

A family member told Daily Sun that his brother left home on Friday midday, 10 January, to certify his kids' documents.

She said they were shocked when they received a call that his brother had been shot dead.

The family member has since called for the police to arrest the assailants.

"We are shattered and fear that they might come for us. My brother was everything to me. He helped solve my problems. I have been hit hard. This is very sad for me and the whole family," she said.

Duduzile Dludlu, a co-owner of the tavern, expressed her shock and called for the law to take its course against the perpetrators.

"We send our condolences to the affected families. Since our business was established almost 40 years ago, we've never experienced anything like this. This incident will undoubtedly tarnish our business' reputation. We urge the MEC for Community Safety to ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted. It's a sad time for us, the families, and the community. We are deeply hurt and disappointed by these acts," she said.

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has called for a thorough investigation and severe sentencing for the perpetrators of the Mpumalanga tavern shooting.

The party said the horrific event not only underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in our communities but also demands decisive action against those who commit such heinous acts.