Hard news

Two wounded in Dullstroom after bachelor party fight escalates

A festive weekend turned violent in Dullstroom, leaving locals shocked and two men wounded.

What began as a festive weekend in the popular tourist town of Dullstroom ended in gunfire, leaving two men wounded and locals outrage.

A visiting bachelor’s party clashed with a group from Lydenburg, sparking a chain of fights that culminated in a shooting outside The Coachman restaurant on Saturday night.

Witnesses say tensions escalated after bizarre antics at the newly opened Hennie’s pub.

Slapped with a sex toy

The groom-to-be allegedly slapped another patron with a sex toy and his group paraded a blow-up doll, drawing disgust from families with children.

Management asked the group to leave, but the trouble followed them across town.

A suspect was detained but released.
A suspect was detained but released.

At The Coachman, a second fight broke out, spilling into the parking area.

Four shots fired

During the melee, a gunman fired at least four shots, hitting two Lydenburg patrons – one in the stomach and another in the lower back. Both were rushed to Life Midmed Hospital and discharged the following day.

ALSO READ: Suspects gain access to Lydenburg bank and flee with undisclosed amount of money

The shooter fled but was later tracked by Farmwatch members and police to a nearby guest farm. He was arrested early on Sunday morning. His licensed firearm was confiscated for ballistic testing.

SAPS arrests a shooting suspect.
SAPS arrests a shooting suspect.

He faces two counts of attempted murder, though he was released shortly after his arrest as the victims had not yet filed formal statements.

Police say charges will be refiled once the victims, who have since confirmed they will report with attorneys present, submit their accounts.

One of the men is expected to undergo further medical treatment.

ALSO READ: Mbombela owner places burned Land Rover at dealership in protest

Locals, fed up with the chaos, ordered both groups to leave town after the shooting.

According to the Lydenburg party, which was celebrating two birthdays, the Gauteng bachelor’s group provoked the violence through disrespectful behavior toward fellow patrons, including women and children.

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Gerhard Rheeder

I have been a journalist for two decades, with numerous awards to my credit, both in photography and writing. A brief stint as researcher in the opposition offices of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, honed my skills as specialist local government reporter, covering crime and courts.
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