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By Reliable_News (self media writer) | 32 minutes ago

A mass shooting claimed the lives of four people in Pietermaritzburg tavern on Saturday 9 July 2022, four were left wounded. “Pietermaritzburg tavern shooting appears to be a random act”, Lt Colonel Nqobile Gwala who is KZN police’ spokesperson says. The name of the tavern where the tragic incident took place is ‘Sweetwaters’. According to some of the people who were at the tavern enjoying themselves it happened at approximately 08h30.

Dolefully, two people were declared dead at the scene and the other two succumbed to injuries in hospital.

South Africans are overwhelmed by recent deaths that took place at three local taverns across the country. Few weeks back 21 teenagers died in East London, yesterday four people between 30 and 45 years also passed away in Pietermaritzburg. In the early hours of today 10 July 2022, 13 people died in Soweto. The death toll rose to 14 because one of them died in hospital.

 

Taverns have been popular settings for recreational alcohol consumption for centuries. The tavern is firmly established as an important adjunct of leisure in many societies. Alcohol consumption in taverns is mainly convivial, restrained and problem‐free. Even so, it has long been apparent that heavy drinking in taverns is associated with aggression, violence, public disorder and injuries.

Violent incidents occurring in and around licensed premises commonly involve perpetrators and/or victims who have consumed alcohol or are intoxicated.

The proliferation of taverns in many communities has led to increases in assaults in and around the taverns. While many, if not most, of these are alcohol-related, assaults also occur when neither the aggressors nor the victims have been drinking. Most assaults occur on weekend nights. This means patrons have to limit going to their favourite taverns at night. Suspects can appear out of nowhere and start shooting at random patrons. A lot happens in the taverns which can be avertible.