27 killed in separate shootings at taverns in Gauteng and Western Cape - IOL

Twenty-seven people have been killed and another 26 wounded in mass shootings in Gauteng and the Western Cape in the space of hours, as police hunt the gunmen and questions mount over how heavily armed criminals are obtaining firearms.

The shootings came less than a week after 12 people were killed in the KwaMakhutha attack in KwaZulu-Natal, bringing three provinces into focus over a series of mass shootings.

In Gauteng, 17 people were killed and 15 wounded after eight armed men allegedly stormed Dora’s Tavern in Extension 3, Wedela, on the West Rand, on Saturday night.

Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said the suspects arrived at about 9.30pm and opened fire on patrons outside before entering the tavern and continuing to shoot.

“The suspects were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols,” Sibeko said.

The suspects allegedly searched patrons and took their cellphones before fleeing in two unidentified vehicles. Two vehicles were also set alight.

Police are investigating a mass shooting at a tavern that left 17 patrons dead and 15 injured. The South African Defence Force has been deployed to the community of Wedela in Carletonville. 

Police have opened 17 counts of murder, 15 counts of attempted murder and two counts of malicious damage to property. No arrests have been made, and the motive remains unknown.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi condemned the attack and called for all available law-enforcement resources to be mobilised to identify, arrest, and bring those responsible to justice.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by this senseless loss of life. There can be no justification for such an attack on innocent people. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and everyone affected by this horrific incident,” Lesufi said.

Hours later, gunfire erupted again in the Western Cape, where another 10 people were killed in Lwandle.

The shooting happened at about 1.46am on Sunday at an entertainment venue.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Sizakhele Dyantyi said gunmen entered the venue and opened fire on patrons.

Five people died at the scene and another five later succumbed to their injuries. Eleven others were receiving medical treatment.

Dyantyi said a multidisciplinary team led by serious violent crime detectives was investigating the attack.

“Detectives are hard at work in search of the perpetrators of the shooting incident with no arrests effected yet,” he said.

The City of Cape Town has offered SAPS assistance, including investigative and information-management support, technology, and additional resources.

Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith said the shootings reflected a national crisis in violent crime and organised killings, which he attributed to prolonged policing failures.

“This shows the national crisis we are facing when it comes to violent crime and murders by syndicates that have completely lost their humanity,” he said.

Smith said urgent reform was needed, including better detection methods, increased use of crime intelligence, and secure ways for communities to report threats.

“Nationally, the criminal justice system must act to stop this. They cannot ignore this threat any longer,” he said.

Smith said the city’s senior management had approached provincial SAPS management to offer assistance from its Safety and Security investigations and information-management services, as well as technology and other resources.

He also urged Lwandle residents with information to approach SAPS or use the c,ity’s anonymous tip-offline.

A woman who did not want to be identified shows off her injury she sustained when gunmen opened fire on patrons.

Ian Cameron, chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, said the investigations had to establish not only who carried out the attacks, but how the perpetrators obtained their firearms.

“The reported killing of 17 people and wounding of another 15 at a tavern in Wedela demands an investigation that goes beyond the gunmen. Who planned this attack, where did the weapons come from, and who knowingly helped those responsible?” Cameron said.

He said detectives, crime intelligence, and forensic specialists should work together, with prosecutors involved early and recovered firearms traced for links to other crimes.

Cameron also said municipalities, SAPS and provincial liquor authorities had to account for their responsibilities, including inspections, complaints, and enforcement at affected premises.

“Where officials ignored documented problems or neglected their duties, they must be held accountable. SAPS and the provincial liquor authority must answer for their responsibilities too,” he said.

He said investigations must establish whether the firearms were stolen, trafficked, or diverted through corruption, rather than blaming lawful firearm owners.

“Families need answers and sustained communication, not only an announcement that a manhunt is under way,” Cameron said.

That question is also being raised by Gun Free South Africa executive director Dr Stanley Maphosa, although he cautioned against assuming the three attacks were linked.

“Three provinces. Different circumstances and investigations. But one recurring factor: firearms gave a small number of perpetrators the capacity to kill and injure many people within minutes,” Maphosa said.

He said 8 452 civilian firearms were reported lost or stolen in 2023/24, while 741 SAPS firearms were reported lost or stolen.

Maphosa said SAPS was recovering at least 100 illegal firearms a week and had destroyed 11 859 firearms and firearm parts in July, taking the seven-year total to 317 811.

“If SAPS is recovering at least 100 illegal firearms every week and has destroyed 317 811 firearms and firearm parts over seven years, while heavily armed perpetrators continue appearing in communities, we need to know how the illegal firearm pool is being replenished.” 

He said possible routes included theft or loss from licensed owners, diversion from state institutions, corruption, and trafficking.

Police in both provinces have appealed for information. Wedela tip-offs can be reported to Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or through the MySAPS App.