Four men, including two off-duty police officers, were killed and four others injured when a tavern brawl turned deadly in Mandeni, KZN, last night.

The North Coast Courier reports the shooting took place in the Sundimbili area of Mandeni at around 23:00 at an illegal tavern on Ikhwezi Road.

According to provincial SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, it is alleged the deceased were consuming alcohol when an altercation broke out between a police constable and a group of five men.

“The argument was resolved peacefully, and the constable even bought alcohol for the group,” says Netshiunda.

However, tensions flared again later when a second police constable got into another scuffle with the same men outside the tavern.

The confrontation escalated, resulting in the constable being shot.

Wounded, the officer reportedly ran back inside the tavern, pursued by the suspects, who opened fire indiscriminately.

“During the shooting, three people, including the police constable, were killed on the scene. The second officer, who sustained gunshot wounds, was rushed to a nearby healthcare facility but was pronounced dead on arrival,” says Netshiunda.

Following the incident, police shut down the tavern and confiscated its stock after discovering it was operating illegally.

“The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and police are urging anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of the suspects to contact their nearest police station,” adds Netshiunda.