At least 27 people have been killed and more than 20 wounded in two shootings in South African townships, according to police reports. The first incident occurred late on Saturday at a tavern in Wedela, located southwest of Johannesburg, where at least 17 people were killed and 15 wounded. Police are searching for eight suspects, reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols. The motive for this shooting remains unknown, and no arrests have been made.
The second shooting took place early on Sunday in Lwandle, near Cape Town, where gunmen killed at least 10 people and wounded 11 at a store. This incident follows a mass shooting at a house party near Durban that resulted in 11 fatalities, including that of a pregnant woman.
In the Wedela incident, police stated that the attack began around 9:30 PM local time on Saturday in Extension 3. The gunmen initially fired at individuals gathered outside the tavern before entering and continuing to shoot inside. Investigators reported that some patrons were searched during the attack, and their mobile phones were taken. The suspects fled the scene in two vehicles, while two other vehicles were set on fire.
Captain Tintswalo Sibeko indicated that detectives and specialized police units have been assigned to locate the eight suspects, with police opening 17 murder cases, 15 attempted murder cases, and two cases related to property damage. In the second incident, police are also searching for multiple suspects involved in the shooting that occurred after midnight on Sunday. South Africa continues to experience high levels of violent crime, particularly involving firearms, prompting government pressure to enhance public safety measures in urban areas.