First suspect arrested after Carletonville tavern shooting leaves 17 dead - IOL

Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the killing of 17 people at a tavern in Wedela, near Carletonville, as the manhunt continues for eight other gunmen.

Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the killing of 17 people at a tavern in Wedela, near Carletonville, as the search continues for eight other gunmen.

Gauteng police commissioner General Tommy Mthombeni has confirmed the arrest of a suspect linked to the mass shooting that left 17 people dead at a tavern in Wedela, near Carletonville, on Saturday night.

Mthombeni said the suspect was arrested in Tzaneen, Limpopo, during the ongoing investigation into the attack. Blood stains were among the evidence gathered by investigators and are part of the case against the arrested suspect, Mthombeni said.

Police are continuing their search for eight other gunmen believed to have been involved in the shooting.

The suspects allegedly arrived at the tavern in Extension 3, Wedela, on Saturday night and opened fire on patrons.

Police said the gunmen were armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols and allegedly first opened fire on people outside the tavern before entering the premises and continuing to shoot.

They also allegedly searched some patrons and took their cellphones before fleeing in two unidentified vehicles.

Seventeen people – 13 men and four women – were declared dead at the scene. A further 15 people suffered gunshot wounds and were taken to medical facilities for treatment.

Police have opened 17 murder cases, 15 counts of attempted murder and two counts of malicious damage to property.

The motive for the shooting has not yet been established.

Mthombeni said a multidisciplinary team comprising detectives and other specialised police units was continuing with the investigation and efforts to locate the remaining suspects.

The arrest comes as police intensify the manhunt for those responsible for one of the deadliest tavern shootings in the country in recent years.

The Wedela attack was followed hours later by a separate shooting at an entertainment venue in Lwandle, Cape Town, where 10 people were killed and 11 wounded.

The investigation into the Wedela shooting remains ongoing.