Sebokeng, Vaal – A 32-year-old tavern employee, Lovers Mokoena, tragically lost his life after being shot while attempting to defuse a heated argument between a couple at Sgureng Tavern in Sebokeng on Saturday, 22 February. The incident has left the community reeling and police are currently searching for the suspect, who fled the scene after the shooting.
The argument between the couple reportedly erupted after the girlfriend allegedly used her boyfriend's bank card to purchase alcohol. When staff members intervened and asked the boyfriend to stop fighting with his girlfriend, he allegedly left the tavern in a fit of anger.
According to witnesses, the man returned moments later, heavily armed with four firearms – two held in his hands and two tucked into his waistband. He allegedly began firing randomly inside the tavern, and Lovers Mokoena was fatally wounded when he bravely attempted to restrain the shooter from behind.
An unnamed employee of Sgureng Tavern recounted the terrifying sequence of events. "They had an argument and he then pulled out a gun and shot the first victim in the hand. He then started shooting randomly. After that, he went to the toilet, fixed his pants and shot another person in the foot on his way out. He went to the girlfriend’s car, who refused to go with him. He shot two tyres and smashed the windows," the employee said. In total, the man allegedly discharged more than 15 shots within the tavern.
Lovers Mokoena's brother, Thulani, said he last spoke to his brother around 6.30pm on Saturday as he left for work. “We received news there was a shooting at his workplace when we woke up in the morning. We found police at the scene when we arrived and my brother was lying there dead,” he said, his voice filled with grief.
Sebokeng police spokeswoman Sergeant Nthabiseng Mokhachane confirmed the details of the incident. She said the suspect had a quarrel with his girlfriend and became offended when the staff tried to reprimand him for his behaviour. “That’s when the suspect left the tavern and came back armed. The deceased grabbed the suspect from behind trying to stop him from shooting and that’s when he got shot. Four other people were injured and rushed to hospital,” Mokhachane explained.
Sergeant Mokhachane added that the shooter fled the scene immediately after the incident and has not yet been apprehended. Police are actively investigating the case and appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the suspect's arrest.
