At least 27 people have been killed and more than 20 wounded in two separate shootings in South African townships over the weekend, police said.
The first attack occurred late Saturday at a tavern in Wedela, southwest of Johannesburg, killing at least 17 people and wounding 15. Police said the gunfire began around 9:30pm in Extension 3, Wedela, in Gauteng province’s West Rand district, with attackers first shooting at people outside the tavern before moving inside to continue firing. Some patrons were reportedly searched and robbed of their mobile phones during the attack.
Police are searching for eight suspects believed to be armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols. The suspects fled in two vehicles; two other vehicles were set alight during the incident. Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said specialist units have been deployed, with 17 murder cases and 15 attempted murder cases opened, alongside two cases of property damage. No arrests have been made and a motive has not been established.
Early Sunday, a second shooting struck a store in Lwandle, near Cape Town, killing at least 10 people and wounding 11. The attack took place after midnight, and police are searching for multiple suspects.
The two incidents come days after a shooting at a house party near Durban killed 11 people, including a pregnant woman. South Africa continues to record high levels of firearm-related violent crime, and the government has faced sustained pressure to strengthen public safety in major urban centres.
