South African police are searching for suspects after two separate shootings killed 27 people and injured 26 others within hours, highlighting the country’s persistent problem with gun violence.
In Wedela township, about 80 kilometres from Johannesburg, 17 people were killed and 15 injured when gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles opened fire at a tavern at around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The following morning, another shooting took place in Lwandle, on the outskirts of Cape Town. Gunmen opened fire at a venue selling grilled meat at around 2 a.m., killing 10 people and injuring 11 others.
No arrests have been made in either case. Police said detectives are working to identify and locate those responsible, while the motives for both shootings remain unknown.
At the Johannesburg-area scene, soldiers and police pathologists were deployed, with two burnt vehicles visible near the tavern. Residents were reluctant to speak publicly about the attack, with some citing fears for their safety.
In Lwandle, onlookers gathered behind police lines but also declined to speak to journalists. Crime expert Yusuf Abramjee said South Africa has a serious illegal firearms problem, with guns frequently used by organised criminal groups and in gang-related violence.
He called for investigations to look beyond the immediate perpetrators and examine the wider networks behind the shootings.
The latest killings come as crime and public safety remain major concerns in South Africa ahead of municipal elections in November. President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously described organised crime as a major threat to the country and deployed the army to assist police in some areas.
The shootings also follow a deadly house-party attack near Durban earlier this week that killed 11 people, while the discovery of women's bodies near Johannesburg since July has renewed concerns over femicide and violent crime.
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