By: The Youth Voice Reporter
The man who shot and killed two men at a tavern in Embalenhle has been arrested following an intense 72-Hour Activation Plan by police, bringing a dramatic end to a deadly shooting that shocked the local community.The double murder occurred on Thursday night, 1 January 2026, at around 23:00, at a tavern in Extension 15, Embalenhle, under the Gert Sibande District.
According to police, panic erupted after an armed suspect allegedly entered the tavern and fired shots before leaving the premises.Moments later, the gunman reportedly returned and opened fire again, fatally shooting two men before fleeing the scene and allegedly firing random shots as he escaped.When police arrived, they found the two victims lying on the ground inside the tavern, covered with blankets, as shocked community members gathered outside. Emergency Medical Services pronounced both men dead at the scene.
The victims were later identified as Siyabonga Fortune Hlapo (25) and Ratile Motloung (24), both residents of Embalenhle.With the suspect still at large, police immediately launched a manhunt and activated the 72-Hour Plan, mobilising Crime Intelligence, Embalenhle Detectives, Visible Policing, the Secunda Flying Squad and Kinross SAPS.The operation led to the arrest of a 35-year-old male suspect on the morning of Saturday, 3 January 2026, between Leandra and Devon.
Police believe the suspect attempted to flee towards Gauteng Province by hitchhiking and was travelling in a white Nissan Almera at the time of his arrest.During the arrest, police recovered a firearm with ammunition and two magazines. The serial number on the weapon had been filed off, and investigators believe it may be the firearm used in the tavern shooting. Ballistic tests are underway to confirm this and to establish whether the weapon was linked to other crimes.
The suspect is expected to face multiple charges, including double murder and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, as investigations continue.The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the swift arrest, warning that criminals will not escape justice in the province.