At least 27 people were killed in two separate mass shootings in South African townships within hours of each other, prompting police to launch manhunts for multiple gunmen as the country confronts another wave of deadly violence.
The first attack occurred late Saturday at a tavern in Wedela township, southwest of Johannesburg. Police said eight gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire on people outside the venue before entering and continuing to shoot inside.
Seventeen people were killed in the attack, including 13 men and four women, while at least 15 others were wounded. The suspects reportedly searched some patrons and took their mobile phones before fleeing in two vehicles. Two other vehicles were also set on fire outside the tavern.
Several hours later, another shooting took place in Lwandle township on the outskirts of Cape Town. Ten people were killed and 11 others wounded after gunmen opened fire at a venue selling grilled meat, commonly known as a shisanyama.
Police said five victims died at the scene, while five others later died after being taken for medical treatment. No arrests had been reported in either shooting as authorities continued searching for the perpetrators.
Investigators were still determining the motives behind the attacks. In the Wedela shooting, police said one line of inquiry was a possible turf war involving illegal mining gangs. Authorities were also investigating whether the incident could have been connected to an earlier shooting at the same tavern.
The motive in the Lwandle shooting was also unclear. Police were examining reports of possible business-related tensions surrounding the venue, but no definitive explanation had been established.
The latest attacks came only days after another mass shooting near Durban. On Sept. 22, at least 11 people were killed when multiple gunmen opened fire at a house party in KwaMakhutha township, including a pregnant woman. No arrests had been reported in that case either.
The repeated shootings have renewed attention on South Africa’s longstanding gun-violence problem. Police statistics show that 5,427 homicides were recorded during the three months ending June 30, an average of nearly 60 killings a day. Firearms are frequently used in homicides, with police and crime experts identifying illegal guns and organised criminal networks as major concerns.
The government has already increased security operations in some of the country’s most violence-affected areas. Soldiers were deployed to assist police in several high-crime locations earlier this year, including areas around Johannesburg and Cape Town, while specialised police units were sent to the latest shooting scenes.
For communities in Wedela and Lwandle, however, the immediate focus remains on the victims, the injured and the search for those responsible. Investigators are expected to examine evidence from both scenes as authorities work to establish the circumstances and motives behind the attacks.
The two shootings add to a series of deadly attacks across South African townships in recent days, putting renewed attention on the country’s struggle with organised crime, illegal firearms and recurring mass-casualty shootings.
