Twenty-seven killed in two separate South Africa mass shootings, police searching for suspects

South African police report 27 people killed in two separate mass shootings within hours of each other. In Wedela township, 17 were killed and 15 injured at a tavern; in Lwandle township, 10 were killed and 11 wounded at an entertainment venue. Police are hunting the perpetrators, with no arrests made yet. Gang violence and organized crime remain widespread despite government efforts.

South African police reported 27 people killed in two separate mass shootings within hours of each other over the weekend. In Wedela township, about 80 km west of Johannesburg, 17 people were killed and 15 injured at a tavern. Police said suspects were armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols, and the attack occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. In a separate attack in Lwandle township on the outskirts of Cape Town, gunmen opened fire at a venue selling grilled meat around 1:46 a.m. on Sunday. Five people died at the scene, and another five died of injuries after being transported to medical facilities, while 11 others were receiving medical treatment. Police said detectives were working to find the perpetrators, with no arrests made in either case. The motive for both shootings remains unclear. The article notes that gang violence and organized crime remain widespread in South Africa despite government efforts, including deploying the army in some areas. Crime is expected to be a major issue for voters in municipal elections in November, as the African National Congress faces further erosion of voter support. The report also references a shooting at a house party near Durban last week that killed 11 people, and a series of women's bodies found near Johannesburg since July that has renewed fear and anger over high rates of femicide.