Mass Shootings Leave 27 Dead Across South Africa

South Africa is reeling following two unconnected mass shootings near its major cities over the weekend, leaving at least 27 people dead and 26 injured.

Late on Saturday, 26 September, eight gunmen carrying AK-47 assault rifles and pistols attacked a tavern in Wedela township, near Johannesburg. The assailants shot patrons outside and inside, stole mobile phones, and torched two vehicles before escaping.

Seventeen people – 13 men and four women – were killed, with 15 wounded. Police suspect an illegal mining turf dispute or gang retaliation.

Hours later, an attack at a shisanyama entertainment venue in Lwandle, near Cape Town, left 10 dead and 11 wounded. Witness Kamvalethu Galada described the horror: “Bodies were laying around us, bodies laying on top of other people that are literally alive.”

Detectives are investigating whether business rivalry sparked the violence.

No arrests have been made, despite specialised police units deploying. These incidents follow a shooting near Durban days earlier that claimed 11 lives, highlighting the nation’s severe struggle with violent crime.

Addressing the crisis, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated: “This cannot go on like this. This is the level of criminality that we must bring down, and our security forces are now going to continue pulling out all stops.”

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