Two dead, four wounded in community beer brawl

A 15-year-old-girl sustained a bullet wound during a beer fight between angry residents in eMbalenhle, Mpumalanga.

This came after four teenage boys were sent to buy beer at a local tavern on Sunday, Ridge Times reported.

It is alleged that on their way back, they came across an unknown man who stopped them and demanded the beer.

The boys refused to give him the beer and the man took out a knife and stabbed them. While he was stabbing the boys, their father rushed to the scene and was also stabbed.

All hell broke loose when the community noticed what was happening and attacked the suspect.

Police spokesperson Captain Bettinah Zondo confirmed the incident, saying police arrived at the scene to find the man being assaulted by the residents.

“Police tried to protect the suspect from being assaulted by the community. However, residents fought the police who were outnumbered and shots were fired.

“A wayward bullet unfortunately hit a 15-year-old girl in the hip. She was taken to the Evander Hospital,” said Zondo.

The teenage boys and their father were taken to the local clinic, where one of the boys died. Another one was taken to Evander Hospital, but also succumbed to his injuries.

The other two boys, their father and the girl are fighting for their lives in the Evander Hospital.

Police said the suspect was also admitted to the Evander Hospital.

Zondo said some of the officers were also assaulted and a state vehicle was damaged.

“Nobody has been arrested yet and the police are investigating murder, attempted murder and malicious damage to property,” he added.

Zondo asked residents not to take the law into their own hands.

“When you apprehend a suspect, contact the police or take the suspect to the police station. We condemn assault on police officers when they are on a scene, because they are there to protect the community,” he added.

– Caxton News Service