At least 27 people have been killed in two separate mass shootings in South Africa, hours apart, as the country faces renewed concerns over escalating gun violence.
The first attack occurred on Saturday evening at a bar near Johannesburg, where police said eight gunmen opened fire on customers, killing 17 people and injuring 15 others.
The victims included 13 men and four women. Police said people from Ethiopia and Lesotho were among those caught up in the attack, although most of the victims were South African.
According to Gauteng Police Commissioner Lt Gen Tommy Mthombeni, the attackers opened fire outside the bar before continuing the shooting inside. They then reportedly set two vehicles on fire before fleeing the scene.
Robbery or Turf War?
Police have not established a definitive motive for the Johannesburg shooting.
Mthombeni said the initial investigation suggested robbery because personal belongings had reportedly been taken from victims.
However, police have not ruled out a possible connection to turf wars involving illegal mining groups.
Deputy provincial police commissioner Maj Gen Fred Kekana also suggested the attack could have been retaliation for a shooting last month that left one person dead and another injured.
Police said they had obtained clear images of some of the suspects and, in some cases, had identified their names.
10 Killed Near Cape Town
Hours later, another mass shooting occurred outside an entertainment venue in a township near Cape Town.
Police said 10 people were killed and another 11 injured.
Five victims died at the scene, while another five later died in hospital.
No arrests had been reported in either shooting as of Sunday morning, and police had not confirmed a motive for the Cape Town attack.
Security forces were deployed around the scene as investigators began gathering evidence.
South Africa’s Gun Violence Crisis
The two attacks came just days after another shooting in Durban left 11 people dead when gunmen reportedly stormed a house in the KwaMakhutha township.
South Africa has one of the world’s highest murder rates, with gun violence remaining a persistent problem.
Illegal firearms are widespread, while police and authorities have linked some violent attacks to gang activity, drug trafficking and illegal mining.
The recent spate of mass shootings has renewed concerns about organised crime and the country’s ability to contain armed violence.
In February, President Cyril Ramaphosa described organised crime as a major threat to South Africa’s democracy, society and economic development.
Earlier this year, the military was deployed alongside police in areas with some of the country’s highest murder rates as part of efforts to tackle violent crime.
The latest shootings have now placed renewed attention on South Africa’s gun violence crisis, with investigations into both attacks continuing.
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