Why This Matters: Two mass shootings in South Africa have left at least 27 people dead, highlighting the country’s continuing struggle with violent crime. Police investigations and searches for suspects are under way.
What happened
South African police said 17 people were killed on Saturday night when eight suspected attackers opened fire at a bar in Wedela township, about 50 miles south-west of central Johannesburg. At least 15 other people were wounded.
In a separate incident, 10 people were killed at an entertainment venue selling grilled meat in Lwandle, near Cape Town. Police said 11 others were wounded after gunmen entered the venue at about 1:46 a.m. on Sunday.
Key facts
- Police said the Johannesburg-area attackers were armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols.
- Investigators said they were searching for eight unidentified suspects in the Wedela shooting.
- Police said multiple suspects were being sought after the Lwandle attack.
- No arrests had been made in either of the two latest shootings, according to police.
Possible motives under investigation
Gauteng police said one line of inquiry was that the Wedela shooting could be linked to a conflict involving illegal gold mining. The province’s police commissioner also said it could have been retaliation for another shooting at the same tavern about a month earlier. These possibilities remain under investigation.
In the Cape Town-area case, a police official said business jealousy might have been a factor, citing reports about customers bringing cheaper alcohol to the venue. Police have not announced a confirmed motive.
What happens next
Gauteng police have launched a manhunt for the unidentified suspects. Western Cape police said a team led by serious violent crime detectives was investigating the Lwandle shooting. The identities of those killed will be released after their next of kin are informed, police said.
The attacks came days after 11 people, including a pregnant woman, were killed in a separate shooting at a house party near Durban.
Bottom Line
At least 27 people have been killed in two separate shootings near South Africa’s largest cities. Police are pursuing multiple suspects while investigating possible links to illegal mining, retaliation and business disputes.
Source
This report is based on information published by The Guardian.
