Mpumalanga’s Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Vusi Shongwe, has urged tavern owners and liquor traders to bolster security at their establishments following a surge in shooting incidents. His call comes after three people were killed in a shooting at a Tweefontein tavern this past Sunday.

“We are making a plea to tavern owners to unite in the fight against crime. They must never allow their places of entertainment to be turned into war zones,” Shongwe stated. He emphasized the need for close collaboration between tavern operators, communities, and law enforcement to strengthen crime prevention efforts.

Recent weeks have seen several shooting incidents occur at or near taverns across the province, including in Bushbuckridge, Piet Retief, and Mayflower. “Communities must also play their part by reporting any suspicious people or activities to the police,” the MEC urged.

While commending the police for swiftly establishing a task team to investigate the Tweefontein shooting, Shongwe condemned the “shameless criminals” responsible, stating, “Our police should spare no effort to ensure justice prevails and that they pay for what they did.”

The MEC also extended condolences to the bereaved families of the shooting victims as authorities work to arrest the culprits and curb the disturbing trend of tavern violence gripping the province.