Mpumalanga DJ Shot Dead After Turning Off Music on Christmas Eve, Sparking Fresh Fears Over Tavern Violence
A festive night meant to celebrate Christmas Eve ended in tragedy in Mpumalanga after a local DJ was shot and killed at a tavern in Masoyi near White River. The shocking incident, which occurred shortly before midnight on 24 December 2025, has once again raised alarm about escalating violence in South Africa’s taverns and drinking spots.South African travel
According to reports, the DJ had been entertaining patrons at a tavern in the Mganduzweni Trust area when he announced that it was time to stop playing music and close for the night. With Christmas only hours away, some patrons reportedly pleaded with him to continue playing, eager to prolong the celebrations. However, the DJ stood firm on his decision, insisting that it was time to pack up and for everyone to go home.
What began as a disagreement soon escalated into a tense confrontation. Witnesses said patrons became increasingly restless as the DJ refused to resume the music. In a sudden and devastating turn of events, one patron allegedly produced a firearm and shot the DJ at close range, killing him on the spot. The same individual then turned the gun on himself, ending his own life.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that a case of murder has been opened, along with an inquest following the suspect’s death. Police also revealed that the firearm used in the shooting was not recovered, and investigations are ongoing to establish how the weapon was obtained and brought into the tavern.
The killing comes amid growing concern about the frequency of violent incidents at taverns across the country. Throughout 2025, South Africa has witnessed a series of deadly tavern shootings, many of which have claimed multiple lives. Just days before the Masoyi incident, a mass shooting at a tavern in Bekkersdal on the West Rand left 10 people dead, further intensifying public fear and outrage.South African travel
Earlier this year, gunmen opened fire at a tavern in Tshwane’s Shoba informal settlement, killing five people, while another shooting in Bronkhorstspruit in October resulted in five deaths and six injuries. In many of these cases, suspects fled the scene, leaving communities traumatised and demanding stronger action from authorities.
Legal experts and community leaders have since renewed calls for stricter regulation of taverns, particularly illegal establishments, arguing that lax oversight and easy access to alcohol often fuel violent behaviour. Some have urged police to intensify compliance inspections and shut down venues operating outside the law as part of broader efforts to curb alcohol-related crime.
Public reaction to the Mpumalanga DJ’s killing has been one of sorrow and frustration. Many South Africans took to social media to express concern over what they describe as a dangerous culture of alcohol abuse and gun violence. Others said the tragedy highlights the risks faced by DJs, bouncers and tavern workers who often find themselves on the front lines of volatile situations.
As families across the country mourn loved ones lost during what should be a season of peace and celebration, the Masoyi shooting serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need to address violence linked to alcohol, firearms and public entertainment spaces in South Africa.