Gunmen armed with assault rifles attack a tavern near Johannesburg and a shisanyama venue near Cape Town, underscoring the country’s persistent struggle with organised gun violence.
South Africa has been left reeling after two separate mass shootings, occurring within hours of each other over the weekend, left at least 28 people dead and 26 others wounded. The attacks, which took place in townships near Johannesburg and Cape Town, have once again highlighted the country’s deep challenges with illegal firearms, organised crime and high levels of violent crime.
The first shooting unfolded late on Saturday evening in Wedela, a township near Carletonville southwest of Johannesburg. At approximately 9:30pm local time, eight gunmen armed with AK-47 assault rifles and pistols opened fire on patrons gathered outside a local tavern. The attackers then moved inside the venue and continued shooting. Seventeen people-13 men and four women-were killed at the scene, while 15 others sustained gunshot wounds.
Two Mass Shootings Leave 28 Dead in South Africa:
Police said the gunmen searched some of the victims and took mobile phones before setting two vehicles alight and fleeing in two unidentified cars. Among those caught up in the attack were South African nationals as well as people from Ethiopia and Lesotho, according to Gauteng police. Authorities have indicated that robbery may have been a motive, though they have not ruled out links to turf wars involving illegal mining groups known as zama zamas. A manhunt is under way, with police reporting that they possess clear images and, in some cases, names of the suspects. No arrests had been made as of Sunday.
Hours later, in the early hours of Sunday, a second mass shooting took place at a shisanyama (grilled meat) entertainment venue in Lwandle township on the outskirts of Cape Town. Gunmen opened fire on patrons around 1:46am. Ten people were killed-five at the scene and five more who later died of their injuries-while 11 others were wounded. Police confirmed they were searching for multiple suspects but provided no further details on numbers or identities. Video circulating on social media showed people dancing and socialising moments before the gunfire erupted, sending crowds scrambling for cover.
The two attacks came just days after another mass shooting in KwaMakhutha township near Durban, where gunmen killed 11 people, including a pregnant woman, at a house party. The rapid succession of deadly incidents has intensified public and political concern over South Africa’s gun violence crisis. The country records one of the world’s highest per-capita murder rates, with organised crime, gang rivalries and the proliferation of illegal firearms frequently cited as key drivers.
South Africa Faces Renewed Calls to Curb Gun Violence:
President Cyril Ramaphosa responded to the weekend’s violence by stating that “this cannot go on like this,” emphasising that security forces must intensify efforts to curb criminality. Earlier this year, the government deployed more than 2,000 soldiers to support police operations in high-crime hotspots, yet the latest killings illustrate the scale of the challenge.
Investigators from the South African Police Service continue to pursue leads in both cases. In Wedela, the presence of assault rifles and the coordinated nature of the attack have raised questions about possible links to broader criminal networks. In Lwandle, detectives are examining whether the shooting stemmed from local disputes or organised criminal activity. As of the latest reports, no suspects had been taken into custody in either incident.
The shootings have left communities in mourning and renewed calls for more effective strategies to address the root causes of such violence-from the easy availability of illegal weapons to socioeconomic pressures in township areas. For many South Africans, the events of the weekend serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of the country’s ongoing battle against gun crime.