Published – 08:25, December 18, 2025
By Thabelo Ramulifho
SOWETO, GAUTENG — A weekend of terror has gripped the Jabulani and Zondi areas of Soweto, as a series of deadly, seemingly targeted shootings at local taverns left three people dead and exposed a chilling potential link between the victims. Soweto Police have launched a massive investigation into the string of murders, which occurred between Friday and Sunday morning, suggesting the possibility of a calculated vendetta or a brutal turf war.The violence began on Friday evening at a tavern situated within the Jabulani Hostel, Block 29.
According to police reports, two unknown men entered the establishment, initially posing as ordinary patrons by ordering beers. When the male owner of the tavern turned to retrieve their order, he was shot multiple times at close range and died instantly. The suspects immediately fled the scene.The following night, Saturday evening, the gunmen struck again, this time at a tavern in the nearby Zondi area.
The pattern of the attack was similar: two men ordered two beers and then requested the female owner to unlock a security burglar door. Tragically, as she complied, one of the suspects opened fire, shooting her multiple times in the head and upper body. The suspects escaped in a white VW Polo with unknown registration numbers. In a grim escalation, a third victim was gunned down in the early hours of Sunday morning at another tavern located within the Jabulani Hostel.
This victim was confirmed by authorities to be a relative of the first man killed on Friday, raising immediate alarms about the nature of the attacks.attacks Possible Link Suggests Targeted AttacksThe most disturbing development in the investigation is the confirmed connection between the first two victims. Authorities have noted that the woman killed on Saturday was the ex-girlfriend of the first victim, the tavern owner murdered on Friday.
This critical piece of information strongly suggests that the three incidents are not random acts of violence but rather a coordinated, targeted campaign.”The link between the victims, particularly the ex-partner and the relative, points towards a motive that is deeply personal, whether it be a crime of passion, revenge, or a calculated hit related to business or personal disputes,” stated a police spokesperson, who requested anonymity as the investigation is active. “We are treating these as potentially linked cases and are working around the clock to identify and apprehend the two suspects.
The attacks have once again shone a spotlight on the persistent issue of violence in Soweto’s hostel communities. Historically, hostels like Jabulani were built as single-sex dormitories during the apartheid era and have long been associated with political conflict, high crime rates, and socio-economic instability. The recent spate of tavern shootings across Gauteng further underscores the vulnerability of these community hubs, which often become flashpoints for criminal activity.
Police are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the arrest of the two unknown men. They are specifically seeking details regarding the white VW Polo used in the Zondi shooting. The community remains on edge as the investigation continues into the weekend’s deadly events that have rocked the heart of Soweto.Anyone with information is urged to contact the Soweto Police Station immediately. – TDTNEWS
