South Africa Mass Shootings Toll Rises To 28 As Police Hunt Gunmen

South Africa’s combined death toll from two mass shootings in townships near Johannesburg and Cape Town has risen to 28, after another victim from Saturday night’s attack in Wedela died in hospital on Monday. Police are hunting multiple suspects, but no arrests have been reported so far.

The shootings have renewed alarm over violent crime in South Africa, which has long struggled with high levels of killings and gun violence. Detectives and members of the South African Defence Force are investigating the two attacks, while police continue efforts to identify and locate those responsible.

The first attack took place at a tavern in Wedela township, about 80 km southwest of Johannesburg, on Saturday night. Police said gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles opened fire on patrons outside the tavern before entering the premises and continuing to shoot.

The attackers reportedly searched some patrons and took their mobile phones before escaping in two vehicles. Two cars were also set on fire outside the tavern during the shooting.

The Wedela attack initially left 17 people dead and several others wounded. Police said on Monday that another victim died in hospital, taking the death toll from the attack to 18. “One more victim has died in hospital, bringing the total number of deceased to 18,” police said.

Police said five injured victims were shot in the upper body and remain critically wounded, while the others are in stable condition. Of those killed in Wedela, two were South Africans and two were Lesotho nationals. These were the only fatalities whose identities had been confirmed at the time of the police update, while all injured victims in hospital had been identified.

About four hours later, another shooting occurred in Lwandle township near Cape Town, South Africa’s second-largest city. Police said 10 people were killed and 11 wounded when gunmen opened fire at a store linked to an entertainment venue.

Police are searching for multiple suspects in the Lwandle attack, although authorities have not specified the exact number. A multidisciplinary investigative team is working on the case, with police also increasing efforts to track down the perpetrators.

The two shootings came amid continuing concerns over South Africa’s violent-crime problem. Authorities are investigating both incidents separately, and no arrests or confirmed motive had been announced in connection with either shooting as of Monday.