At least 27 people died in two separate South Africa Shootings near Johannesburg and Cape Town, according to South African police. The attacks occurred late Saturday and early Sunday, with authorities reporting separate incidents in Wedela township and Lwandle. Police said the first shooting happened Saturday night at a bar in Wedela, southwest of Johannesburg.
According to police, 17 people died after armed suspects opened fire inside the bar. Authorities said the suspects carried AK-47 rifles and pistols during the attack. Wedela lies southwest of Johannesburg, while the second shooting occurred near Cape Town several hours later.
Police said 10 people died after gunmen opened fire at a store in Lwandle. The shooting happened around 1 a.m. on Sunday, according to authorities. Together, the two incidents killed at least 27 people within several hours and prompted police investigations at both locations.
Police had not announced any arrests in either case by Sunday. Instead, preliminary reports showed that authorities searched for multiple suspected gunmen following both attacks. Investigators also worked to establish what happened at each location and identify those responsible.
The latest shootings followed another deadly incident near the eastern coastal city of Durban. That shooting occurred at a house party several days earlier and killed 11 people, including a pregnant woman. The incident added to a series of deadly shootings reported recently across South African communities.
South Africa Shootings have affected separate communities near some of the country’s largest cities. In Wedela, authorities focused their investigation on the bar where suspects reportedly opened fire. Meanwhile, investigators in Lwandle examined the circumstances surrounding the attack at the store.
Police had not publicly identified suspects or announced a motive for either of the latest shootings. Instead, authorities continued searching for multiple gunmen they believed took part in the separate attacks. The South African Police Service provided details about the deaths while investigators pursued further information.
Police highlighted the reported use of AK-47 rifles and pistols in their account of the Wedela attack. However, authorities did not provide similar details about the weapons involved in Lwandle. Investigators continued gathering information as they examined the circumstances surrounding both incidents.
The two shootings occurred only days after the deadly attack near Durban, where 11 people died. Consequently, the latest incidents brought the combined death toll from the three shootings to at least 38 people. Police also confirmed that a pregnant woman died during the earlier Durban attack.
Authorities continued investigating both Wedela and Lwandle while searching for the people suspected of carrying out the attacks. No arrests had been reported when police issued their statements Sunday. Police also had not confirmed any connection between the two latest shootings.
South Africa Shootings remained under active investigation as authorities sought additional information about the suspects and circumstances. The two latest incidents left at least 27 people dead, according to police. Investigators continued their work while authorities searched for multiple suspected gunmen in both cases.
