At least 27 people have been killed and 26 others injured in two separate mass shootings in South Africa, in the latest outbreak of deadly gun violence to hit the country.
The two attacks occurred within hours of each other, with one taking place at a bar west of Johannesburg and the other at an entertainment venue in a township outside Cape Town.
27 Killed in Two Separate South Africa Shootings
The first shooting happened at about 7:30 p.m. GMT on Saturday when eight gunmen reportedly stormed a bar in an area west of Johannesburg.
Police said the attackers opened fire on people drinking outside the bar before moving inside and continuing the shooting.
At least 17 people were killed, while 15 others sustained injuries.
The victims included 13 men and four women.
The motive for the attack remains unknown.
Police said the suspects reportedly set two vehicles on fire before fleeing the scene.
No arrests had been made in connection with the attack at the time of reporting.
10 Killed in Second Shooting Near Cape Town
Hours after the Johannesburg-area attack, another shooting was reported at an entertainment venue in a township outside Cape Town.
According to police, 10 people were killed and 11 others injured.
Five victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while another five died from their injuries while being taken to hospital.
Police had not announced any arrests in connection with the second attack.
The back-to-back shootings have renewed concerns over South Africa’s persistent struggle with gun violence and violent crime.
South Africa Battles Rising Gun Violence
South Africa continues to face serious challenges linked to gun violence, with illegal firearms widely available alongside legally owned weapons.
Police have previously linked a significant portion of the violence to gang rivalries and competition among informal businesses.
The country, with a population of about 62 million, records roughly 60 murders daily.
The South African government has repeatedly deployed soldiers to areas affected by serious violence to support police operations.
In March, soldiers were sent to crime hotspots in Johannesburg.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously described rampant crime as one of South Africa’s major threats.
The military has also been deployed during previous periods of unrest, including the enforcement of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in 2020 and violence that followed the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma in 2021.
In 2023, soldiers were deployed again following a series of truck burnings that raised fears of wider unrest.
About 1,300 soldiers were also deployed in 2019 to support police operations in the gang-affected Cape Flats areas around Cape Town.
10 Women Killed in Johannesburg Municipality
The latest mass shootings come amid another disturbing series of killings in Johannesburg.
Police said 10 women have been killed in one municipality in the city over a two-month period.
The latest victim was reportedly found semi-naked and stoned to death on Saturday.
Police said a suspect has been arrested in connection with the killing.
The other nine victims were mostly women in their 20s and 30s, with some reportedly found stripped of their clothes and showing signs of sexual assault.
Police have announced a 400,000-rand reward, about $25,000, for information that could lead to the arrest of the killer or killers.
The Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s second-largest political party, has also offered an additional reward of about $31,000 for information that could help investigators.
The latest killings have added to growing concerns over violent crime and public safety in South Africa.