27 killed in two separate South Africa mass shootings; gunmen on the run

South African police are hunting the gunmen behind two mass shootings that killed 27 people and wounded 26 near Johannesburg and Cape Town within hours of each other.

No arrests have been announced, and the motives remain unclear.

The attacks followed a shooting at a house party near Durban five days earlier that left 11 people dead, putting renewed focus on violent crime and illegal firearms in South Africa.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryGUNMEN ATTACK BAR NEAR JOHANNESBURGThe first shooting took place around 9.30 pm on Saturday at a bar in Wedela township, about 80 km southwest of Johannesburg.

Eight men armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols fired at patrons outside before moving into the bar and continuing the attack, police said. Thirteen men and four women were killed, and 15 other people were injured.

Police said the gunmen searched some patrons, took their mobile phones and fled in two vehicles. Soldiers and police pathologists have reached Wedela as investigators examine the scene. #BREAKING At least 17 people were killed and 15 others seriously wounded in a mass shooting at a tavern in Wedela, near Carletonville, South Africa, on Saturday night.Police said at least eight suspects armed with AK-47 rifles and handguns opened fire on patrons outside the pic.twitter.com/KDmy5rZtYo— Global OSINT (@GlobalOSINTHQ) September 27, 2026Two burnt vehicles were visible nearby, but police have not said whether they are connected to the shooting.

Residents have been reluctant to speak about the attack. One mentioned illegal gold miners, known locally as zama zamas, who live in the area. Police have not linked them to the shooting.TEN KILLED NEAR CAPE TOWN

Around four hours later, gunmen opened fire at a store in Lwandle township, on the outskirts of Cape Town. Ten people were killed and 11 injured in the attack, which took place after 1 am on Sunday.

Police are searching for multiple suspects but have not said how many attackers were involved. Some people gathered behind police lines told journalists they feared for their safety.

Police have not reported any link between the two attacks.THIRD MASS SHOOTING IN FIVE DAYS

On Tuesday night, gunmen attacked a house party in KwaMakhutha township, south of Durban, killing 11 people, including a pregnant woman. Police have not announced any arrests in that case.

South Africa has one of the world’s highest homicide rates. Police recorded 5,427 killings between April and June, an average of nearly 60 a day.

Firearms are the most common means of killing, and authorities have long warned about the number of illegal guns in circulation.

Police have linked some shootings in poorer communities to criminal gangs, but have not established a motive for the attacks in Wedela and Lwandle.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described organised crime as a major threat to South Africa’s democracy and economic development.

The shootings come ahead of municipal elections in November, when crime is expected to be a major issue for voters.- Ends(With inputs from agencies)