South Africa Mass Shootings Kill 27 in Gauteng and Western Cape

Gunmen killed at least 27 people and wounded 26 others in two mass shootings hours apart in South Africa's Gauteng and Western Cape provinces on Saturday night and Sunday morning. The first attack occurred around 9:30 p.m. at a tavern in Wedela township near Carletonville, where eight assailants armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire on patrons, killing 17 and wounding 15. Police said the suspects searched victims and took cellphones before fleeing in two vehicles, which were later found burned. Acting Gauteng Police Commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana stated investigators have identified some suspects but withheld names pending court appearances. Hours later at 1:46 a.m., gunmen attacked a shisanyama venue in Lwandle township near Cape Town, killing 10 and wounding 11. Five victims died at the scene and five more succumbed to injuries in hospital. Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed the attack. The shootings follow a Tuesday attack in KwaMakhutha, KwaZulu-Natal, where three gunmen killed 11 at a house party, bringing the six-day toll to at least 38 dead.