At least 27 people have been killed in two separate mass shootings near Johannesburg and Cape Town, as South Africa faces another wave of deadly gun violence.
The first attack happened on Saturday night at a tavern in Wedela township, southwest of Johannesburg. Police said eight gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire on customers, killing 17 people and injuring 15 others. The attackers reportedly began shooting at people outside the tavern before moving inside and continuing the attack. Police said the victims included 13 men and four women.
The suspects allegedly searched some customers and took their mobile phones before fleeing in two unidentified vehicles. Police said two vehicles were also set on fire during the incident.
No arrests had been made by Sunday, while specialised police units and detectives were deployed to identify and apprehend those responsible. Authorities had not established a motive for the attack.
Second Shooting
A second shooting occurred in Lwandle, a township near Cape Town, in the early hours of Sunday. Police said gunmen opened fire at an entertainment venue at about 1:00am, killing 10 people and injuring another 11. Five victims died at the scene, while five others later succumbed to their injuries after being taken to medical facilities.
Police launched separate investigations into the two attacks, with no arrests reported in the Cape Town incident either. The shootings came only days after another mass shooting near Durban, where 11 people were killed at a house party, including a pregnant woman. The latest incidents have renewed concerns over the scale of gun violence in South Africa.
South Africa has one of the world’s highest murder rates, with roughly 60 people killed each day. The country also faces widespread access to legal and illegal firearms, while gang rivalries and competition between informal businesses are frequently associated with shootings.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously described organised crime as a major threat to South Africa’s democracy, society and economy. Soldiers have also been deployed alongside police in some of the country’s worst-affected crime hotspots.
Authorities are continuing their investigations into the latest shootings as the search for the suspects continues.
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