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South Africa police launch manhunt after 17 killed in tavern shooting
On Saturday night, eight gunmen armed with assault rifles killed 17 people and injured 15 others at a tavern in Wedela, a township southwest of Johannesburg, the South African Police Service reported.
Hours later, 10 people were killed in a separate attack in Lwandle, near Cape Town, bringing the total weekend death toll from both mass shootings to at least 27.
Police launched a manhunt for the suspects in both attacks, noting that Wedela gunmen "allegedly searched some patrons and took their cellphones" before fleeing in two vehicles that were also set alight.
Deputy provincial police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana said the Wedela attack appeared to be retaliation for an incident last month, vowing, "We will get them." Police mobilised detectives and specialised units to trace the suspects.
South Africa records roughly 60 murders a day, among the highest rates globally, with President Cyril Ramaphosa having previously deployed soldiers to assist police in combating persistent gun violence linked to gang rivalries.
It is considered one of the most serious violent crimes in South Africa in recent years: 17 people were killed in a shooting near the metropolis of Johannesburg. There was also an attack in Cape Town.
People were attacked with automatic rifles and pistols in a café and entertainment venue. Murder rates in South Africa are still among the highest in the world.
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