At Least 27 Killed as Gunmen Attack Two South African Venues

Two mass shootings in South Africa have left no fewer than 27 people dead, authorities said. In the first attack, 17 people were killed at a tavern in Wedela township, located southwest of Johannesburg, on Saturday night, Sept. 26. The following day, in the early hours of Sunday, Sept. 27, another 10 people were killed at an entertainment venue in Lwandle, close to Cape Town. According to police, the Wedela assailants reached the tavern around 9:30 p.m. They fired at people who had gathered outside the building, then went inside and kept shooting at customers. Footage captured at the site showed patrons singing and dancing before gunfire broke out, prompting them to flee for safety. Emergency medical workers declared 13 men and four women dead at the location. Fifteen additional victims suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to medical facilities. Police said the suspects were said to have been carrying AK-47 rifles and pistols. They reportedly searched some customers and seized their cellphones before escaping in two vehicles that have not been identified. Two other vehicles were burned during the incident, police added. As of Sunday, no one had been taken into custody, and investigators had not determined a motive. Detectives and specialised police teams were sent to track down and arrest those responsible. The second shooting took place at about 1:46 a.m. Sunday at an entertainment venue in Lwandle, near Cape Town. Police said the gunmen walked into the venue, which also sells braaied meat, and fired at patrons. Five people died at the scene, and five more died after being rushed to medical facilities. Another 11 people were wounded and continued to receive treatment. Police said murder and attempted murder investigations were ongoing. The names of the victims would be made public once their relatives had been informed. The attacks occurred only days after another mass shooting in KwaMakhutha, south of Durban, where 11 people were killed and three others were hurt at a house party on Tuesday night. South African authorities said three armed men entered the house and shot at the people inside. Police had not established a motive in that case but said a dispute between rival groups could not be excluded. Investigations into the two latest shootings were continuing, and no arrests had been announced in either of Sunday's incidents.