JOHANNESBURG — At least 27 people were killed and 26 others wounded in two separate mass shootings in South Africa’s Gauteng and Western Cape provinces, police said Sunday.Seventeen people were shot dead at a tavern in Wedela, in the West Rand District of Gauteng province, on Saturday night. The victims included 13 men and four women, police said.Another 15 people sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to medical facilities for treatment.“It is alleged that patrons were drinking inside and outside the tavern when the suspects arrived and opened fire on those outside. The suspects then entered the tavern and continued shooting at patrons inside,” police said in a statement.The attackers were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and shotguns. Police said they searched some patrons and took their cellphones before fleeing in two unidentified vehicles.Two vehicles parked near the tavern were also set alight.Police launched a manhunt for eight unidentified armed men suspected of involvement in the attack. The motive remains unknown, while detectives and specialized units have been deployed to identify and apprehend the suspects.In a separate incident, 10 people were shot dead in Lwandle in the Western Cape province early Sunday after gunmen entered an entertainment venue and opened fire on patrons, police said.Five people died at the scene, while another five succumbed to their injuries after being taken to medical facilities. Eleven others were receiving treatment for their injuries.The latest attacks come amid persistent concerns over violent crime in South Africa, where an average of about 58 people are murdered each day, according to national crime statistics.Last week, gunmen killed 11 people, including a pregnant woman, and wounded three others in a late-night shooting at a home in southern Durban.JOHANNESBURG — At least 27 people were killed and 26 others wounded in two separate mass shootings in South Africa’s Gauteng and Western Cape provinces, police said Sunday.Seventeen people were shot dead at a tavern in Wedela, in the West Rand District of Gauteng province, on Saturday night. The victims included 13 men and four women, police said.Another 15 people sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to medical facilities for treatment.“It is alleged that patrons were drinking inside and outside the tavern when the suspects arrived and opened fire on those outside. The suspects then entered the tavern and continued shooting at patrons inside,” police said in a statement.The attackers were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and shotguns. Police said they searched some patrons and took their cellphones before fleeing in two unidentified vehicles.Two vehicles parked near the tavern were also set alight.Police launched a manhunt for eight unidentified armed men suspected of involvement in the attack. The motive remains unknown, while detectives and specialized units have been deployed to identify and apprehend the suspects.In a separate incident, 10 people were shot dead in Lwandle in the Western Cape province early Sunday after gunmen entered an entertainment venue and opened fire on patrons, police said.Five people died at the scene, while another five succumbed to their injuries after being taken to medical facilities. Eleven others were receiving treatment for their injuries.The latest attacks come amid persistent concerns over violent crime in South Africa, where an average of about 58 people are murdered each day, according to national crime statistics.Last week, gunmen killed 11 people, including a pregnant woman, and wounded three others in a late-night shooting at a home in southern Durban.
At least 27 killed in two mass shootings in South Africa
