Reiger Park drive-by shooting suspect which left six people dead is apprehended Image credit: SAPS shared via X @SAPoliceService.
(The Post News)– Collaborative efforts by police investigators have led to the crucial arrest of a second suspect connected to the devastating Zithobeni tavern shooting that occurred on October 5, 2025.
This breakthrough has presented significant momentum in the case, which resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries. According to SAPS, the second suspect was arrested on Friday, October 24, 2025, during a focused tracing operation conducted in Zithobeni, where the tragedy took place.
The operation was jointly managed by the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Investigations team and members of SAPS Bronkhorstspruit. “Police recovered an unlicensed firearm with the serial numbers filed off,” said police, connecting the suspect to serious criminality.
The suspect appeared before the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday, October 27, 2025, where he was formally charged with five counts of murder and six counts of attempted murder.
Zithobeni Tavern Tragedy
According to police, armed assailants opened fire randomly on patrons, tragically leading to the death of five people and serious injury to six others, leaving the community shattered. “The shooting took place on the evening of October 5, 2025, when five patrons were fatally shot and six others sustained serious injuries during an attack by gunmen who stormed the establishment at a local tavern in Bronkhorstspruit.”
“It is reported by witnesses that two men, known in the community, came into the tavern and demanded that one of the patrons hand over his licensed firearm,” said SAPS in a statement. They said a shot went off, and when the patrons ran outside, the suspects reportedly began firing randomly.
The incident prompted an immediate high-level police response to address the targeted violence and the proliferation of illegal firearms, such as the weapon recovered during this latest arrest.
The second arrest strengthens the case against the first accused, Xlani Musawenkosi Xulu, who was apprehended shortly before on October 21, 2025. Xulu remains in custody and is scheduled to make his next appearance before the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
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