By Swift Reporter
At least 27 people have been killed and 26 others injured in two separate mass shootings in South Africa, police said on Sunday, as the country continues to grapple with persistent gun violence.
The first attack occurred on Saturday evening at a bar in Wedela, west of Johannesburg, where eight armed men reportedly stormed an entertainment venue and opened fire on customers.
Police said the gunmen, who were armed with assault rifles, attacked people drinking outside before moving into the premises and continuing to shoot.
Seventeen people were killed in the attack, including 13 men and four women, while 15 others sustained injuries.
Police said the suspects later set two vehicles on fire before fleeing the scene. No arrests had been made by Sunday.
Deputy Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana said investigators had obtained clear images of the suspects and were working to identify and apprehend them.
Police also said the shooting may have been linked to an earlier incident at the same tavern last month, although the motive had not been conclusively established.
The attack occurred in a semi-rural area characterised by residential neighbourhoods, small businesses and land affected by mining activities. Wedela has also been among areas targeted in government efforts to combat illegal mining and criminal networks operating around abandoned mine shafts.
A second shooting occurred early Sunday at an entertainment venue in a township outside Cape Town, where 10 people were killed and 11 others injured.
Police said five victims died at the scene, while the remaining five succumbed to their injuries while being transported to hospital.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show people enjoying themselves at the venue before gunfire erupted, sending revellers fleeing for safety.
Authorities said no suspects had been arrested in either shooting by Sunday.
The latest attacks add to concerns over gun-related violence in South Africa, where shootings are frequently associated with organised crime, gang conflicts and disputes involving informal businesses.
The country records about 60 murders each day, according to police statistics, placing it among countries with high levels of violent crime.
The shootings came just days after another deadly attack in Durban, where 11 people were killed when gunmen reportedly stormed a house party.
South African authorities have increasingly deployed the military to support police operations in areas affected by serious violent crime.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously authorised military deployments to crime hotspots, including parts of Johannesburg, while troops have also been deployed during periods of civil unrest and in gang-affected communities around Cape Town.
Despite these interventions, shootings and other violent crimes remain a persistent challenge for law enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, police in Johannesburg are investigating a separate series of killings involving 10 women found dead in one municipality over a two-month period. The latest victim was discovered on Saturday, with police saying a suspect had been arrested.
Authorities have offered a 400,000-rand reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the killings.
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