Police have intensified Operation Prosper across the West Rand District following a tavern shooting on September 26 in Wedela that left 18 people dead and several injured, reports Randfontein Herald.

Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni ordered increased police operations in Wedela and surrounding areas.

Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said Operation Prosper, which includes the South African National Defence Force and specialised police units such as the Tactical Response Team and Public Order Policing, has been deployed to strengthen operations in the affected areas.

The operation’s operational matrix is being updated, with police and other law enforcement agencies expected to increase their presence and intensify operations across Wedela and surrounding communities in the West Rand District.

Heightened security and multidisciplinary response

The heightened police presence comes as investigators continue probing the tavern shooting.

Mthombeni has also established a dedicated multidisciplinary team to investigate the shooting. The team comprises experienced murder and robbery detectives, Crime Intelligence and Crime Scene Investigation members and is led by a senior brigadier responsible for Crime Investigation Services in the province.

The charges have been updated to 18 counts of murder, 18 counts of attempted murder, two counts of malicious damage to property and armed robbery.

Casualties and investigation progress

One more victim died in hospital, bringing the death toll to 18. Only four of the deceased have been identified so far – two South African nationals and two nationals of Lesotho.

All the injured victims who remain in hospital have been identified. Police said five victims sustained upper-body gunshot wounds and remain in critical condition, while the other injured victims are in stable condition.

Police have not made any arrests at this stage.

Police operations are expected to continue across the West Rand District as investigators work to identify and apprehend those responsible for the deadly shooting.

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