At least one suspect was arrested last night, following a shooting that claimed eight lives in Pienaar, Mpumalanga, early Saturday morning.

Police detectives located the suspect at a house in Pienaar shortly before midnight, according to sources.

Mpumalanga News reports provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed the arrest.

“A 39-year-old male suspect was arrested in Pienaar on Sunday night. The team has managed to make a breakthrough, and during the arrest, police confiscated a pistol with 13 live rounds of ammunition,” Ndubane said this morning.

“The suspect is expected to appear in court soon,” added Ndubane.

The shooting occurred near a tavern on Saturday at about 04:00.

Six people, including a woman, died at the scene, while another woman and a man died in hospital.

Three others remain in hospital, while one has been discharged. The victims’ ages range from 19 to 45.

Acting provincial police commissioner Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi visited the scene yesterday.

Preliminary investigations suggest gang wars were the motive behind the shooting. Mkhwanazi instructed detectives to leave no stone unturned.

Investigators are also probing why the tavern was open at 04:00. According to a family member of the tavern owner, the licence stipulates a midnight closing time.