Four foreign shop owners, believed to be Pakistani nationals, were shot dead in what police are investigating as a suspected targeted attack in Chloorkop, east of Johannesburg, on Saturday evening.
The victims were reportedly travelling home after closing their spaza shops when their vehicle came under heavy gunfire at about 6pm on Saturday, 25 July 2026.
The shooting occurred at the intersection of Zuurfontein and Orangerivier roads, within the Sebenza policing precinct near Kempton Park and Tembisa.
According to preliminary information, the four men were travelling in a Honda Ballade when a white sedan allegedly pulled up alongside them. Gunmen then opened fire, fatally wounding all four occupants.
The victims’ vehicle continued moving for a short distance before crashing into a traffic island, where it came to a stop.
Videos circulating on social media show the aftermath of the attack. In one clip, a bystander filming the scene says:
“A murder took place near this traffic signal. From there, as far as they could drive the car, they drove it and they ended up coming to a stop here. So all four dead bodies are inside the car, and the incident happened around 5:30, and now it’s 9:30.”
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has opened four murder cases and launched a manhunt for those responsible.
Police have not confirmed a motive for the killings.
Investigators are reportedly exploring several possibilities, including whether the attack was linked to extortion, organised crime, a targeted execution or another criminal motive. Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation continues.
Community organisations and local residents have identified the victims as Pakistani nationals who operated spaza shops in the area. However, SAPS has so far confirmed only that the deceased were foreign nationals, with their identities and nationalities still being formally verified.
The killings have sent shockwaves through Gauteng’s migrant business community, where foreign-owned small businesses have increasingly been targeted in armed robberies, extortion attempts and other forms of violent crime.
No arrests had been made at the time of publication.
Police have appealed to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact their nearest police station or the SAPS Crime Stop hotline. The investigation remains ongoing.