Criminology Expert Professor Nirmala Gopal says illegal and poorly regulated taverns are increasingly becoming hotspots for deadly violence in South Africa (SA).
This follows the mass shooting at a tavern in Bekkersdal on the West Rand in the early hours of this morning.
Nine people were killed and ten others wounded when gunmen opened fire at the KwaNoxolo tavern in the area.
Gopal has urged police and government departments to shut down illegal taverns, warning that unregulated alcohol outlets expose communities to repeated violence.
“Of course relevant government departments take into consideration how these illegal taverns are impacting the community at large, especially in a time with such high crime rates and high unemployment rates. I don’t believe that these taverns, especially, well, both legal and illegal, I don’t think that they serve any good purpose, really.”
–SABC–
