The second suspect in the mass shooting at the Bronkhorstspruit tavern is arrested by Gauteng police

Another breakthrough has been made by Gauteng police, who have detained a second suspect in the tavern shooting in Bronkhorstspruit, where gunmen opened fire on patrons, killing five and wounding six.

The suspect was taken into custody by the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Investigations unit, in collaboration with SAPS Bronkhorstspruit, according to Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili.

“The suspect was wanted in the tavern shooting incident that occurred in Bronkhorstspruit on 5 October 2025,” she said.

“The suspect was arrested during a tracing operation on Friday, October 24, 2025 in Zithobeni, the township where the incident happened,” Muridili added.

Muridili said the police recovered an unlicensed firearm with serial numbers filed off.

“He will be appearing before the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court on October 27, 2025 facing charges of five counts of murder and six counts of attempted murder.”

The first accused, Xlani Musawenkosi Xulu, who was arrested on October 21, 2025, is still in custody and is due to appear in court on October 30, 2025.

“The Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Investigations, working together with members from SAPS Bronkhorstspruit, has arrested one of the suspects wanted in the tavern shooting incident which occurred in Bronkhorstspruit on October 5, 2025,” Muridili previously said.

The suspect was arrested during a tracing operation on October 21, 2025 in Zithobeni, the township where the incident happened.

IOL News previously reported that police in Bronkhorstspruit responded to a shooting at a tavern in Zithobeni on October 5, 2025 at about 01:30, where five people were killed and six were injured.

At the time, Muridili said witnesses said two men known in the community came into the tavern and demanded that one of the patrons hand over his licensed firearm.

“A shot went off and when the patrons ran outside, the suspects fired randomly. The patron with a firearm was shot and injured and his firearm was taken.”

The incident resulted in five fatalities and six injuries.

“The injured were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Only one deceased has been identified so far and all the injured have been identified,” Muridili said.

Muridili said the injured patron whose firearm was taken will be charged with contravention of the Firearms Control Act, Act 60 of 2000, for the negligent handling of his 9mm pistol.

The Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit has registered cases of five counts of murder and six counts of attempted murder.

The Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Tracking Team is continuing to trace the suspects.

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