At least 27 people were killed in two separate mass shootings near South Africa's two biggest cities, police said, as the country struggles to contain high levels of gang-related armed violence.
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Key facts
- At least 27 people killed in two separate mass shootings, according to police.
- Seventeen killed at a bar in Wedela township, south-west of Johannesburg, on Saturday night.
- Ten killed in a separate incident at a store near Cape Town.
- At least 15 others sustained gunshot injuries in the Johannesburg-area attack.
- Eight suspects armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols carried out the bar attack, police said.
Two separate mass shootings near South Africa’s two biggest cities killed at least 27 people, police have said. The attacks, which occurred hours apart, come as the country struggles to stop high levels of gang-related armed violence, according to the BBC.
The South African police service said on Sunday that 17 people were killed on Saturday night when eight suspects armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire at a bar in Wedela township, south-west of Johannesburg, according to the Guardian.
At least 15 other people sustained gunshot injuries in that attack, police said.
In a separate incident, 10 people were killed at a store near Cape Town, the Guardian reported. Together, the two attacks brought the confirmed death toll to at least 27, figures also cited by Al Jazeera.
The BBC noted that the two attacks came as the country grapples with persistent gang-related armed violence, a challenge authorities have struggled to bring under control.
Police attributed the casualty figures to the South African police service. Further details about the identities of the victims, the suspects, or a possible motive were not provided in the available reports.
Why it matters
Mass shootings of this scale highlight the continuing difficulty South African authorities face in curbing armed and gang-related violence. The attacks near the country's two largest urban areas underscore concerns about public safety and the availability of high-powered weapons.
Frequently asked questions
Where did the shootings take place?
One shooting occurred at a bar in Wedela township, south-west of Johannesburg, and the other at a store near Cape Town, according to the Guardian.
How many people were killed and injured?
At least 27 people were killed in total: 17 at the Johannesburg-area bar and 10 near Cape Town. At least 15 others were injured in the bar attack, police said.
What weapons were used in the attacks?
Police said eight suspects armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire at the bar in Wedela township, according to the Guardian.
Timeline
- Two mass shootings in South Africa leave 28 dead
BBC World: The two attacks hours apart come as the country struggles to stop high levels of gang-related armed violence.
- Two mass shootings kill at least 27 people in South Africa
Sky News: At least 27 people have been killed in two separate mass shootings within hours of each other in South Africa.
- Dozens killed in two mass shootings in South Africa
Al Jazeera: At least 27 people have been killed in two mass shootings across South Africa.
- Two mass shootings in South Africa leave 27 dead
BBC World: The two attacks hours apart come as the country struggles to stop high levels of gang-related armed violence.
- At least 27 dead after two mass shootings in South Africa, police say
The Guardian World: Seventeen people killed at bar near Johannesburg and 10 killed in separate incident at store near Cape Town Two separate mass shootings near South Africa’s two biggest cities killed at least 27 people, police have said. The South African police service said on Sunday that 17 peop