27 killed in two separate South Africa mass shootings; gunmen at large

The shootings came five days after 11 people were killed at a house party near Durban, adding to concerns over illegal firearms and organised crime in the country.

In Short

• First attack kills 17, second incident leaves 10 dead
• Violence adds to concerns over illegal guns ahead of elections
• No one has been arrested so far, gunmen still at large

South African police were hunting gunmen on Sunday after two separate mass shootings near Johannesburg and Cape Town killed 27 people and wounded 26 within hours.

No arrests had been made, and police had not established a motive for either attack.

The shootings came five days after 11 people were killed at a house party near Durban, adding to concerns over illegal firearms and organised crime in the country.

GUNMEN OPEN FIRE AT A BAR

The first attack took place at around 9.30 pm on Saturday at a bar in Wedela township, about 80 km southwest of Johannesburg.

Police said eight gunmen carrying AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire on patrons outside the bar, then went inside and continued shooting. Thirteen men and four women were killed, while 15 other people sustained gunshot wounds.

The attackers searched some patrons and took their mobile phones before escaping in two vehicles, according to police.

Soldiers and police pathologists were sent to the township on Sunday as investigators examined the scene. Two burnt vehicles were visible nearby, though police had not said whether they were linked to the attack.

Some residents were reluctant to discuss the shooting. One pointed to the presence of illegal gold miners, locally known as zama zamas. Police have not linked the miners to the attack or identified a motive.

SECOND ATTACK NEAR CAPE TOWN

About four hours later, gunmen attacked a store in Lwandle township on the outskirts of Cape Town. Ten people were killed and 11 wounded in the shooting, which took place after 1 am on Sunday.

Police said they were searching for multiple suspects but did not specify how many people were involved. Onlookers gathered behind police lines at the scene, though some told journalists they were afraid to speak.

Investigators are treating the attacks as separate incidents. Police have not announced any connection between them.

THIRD MASS SHOOTING IN FIVE DAYS

The weekend attacks followed a shooting on Tuesday night at a house party in KwaMakhutha township, south of Durban. Eleven people, including a pregnant woman, were killed. No arrests have been reported in that case either.

South Africa has one of the world’s highest homicide rates. Police recorded 5,427 killings between April and June, an average of nearly 60 a day.

Firearms are the most common means of killing, and police and crime experts have long warned about the number of illegal guns in circulation.

Police have linked some shootings in poorer communities to criminal gangs, but have yet to say what drove the attacks in Wedela and Lwandle.

Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa described organised crime as a major threat to South Africa’s democracy and economic development.

The latest killings come ahead of municipal elections in November, when crime is expected to be a concern for voters.

- Ends