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9h ago

Two Mass Shootings in South African Townships Kill 27

Police launched manhunts, mobilised specialised units, increased forensic activity, opened murder investigations.

A police officer is seen at a scene of a mass shooting at a house party in KwaMakhutha township south of the city Durban, South Africa, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo)
Forensic officers and the army members are seen at scene of a mass shooting on Saturday night when suspects opened fire at a bar in Wedela township, southwest of Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo)
Police officers load a body into a forensic pathology vehicle at the scene of a mass shooting in KwaMakhutha township south of the city of Durban, South Africa, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo)
A police officer stands at the scene of a mass shooting at a house party in KwaMakhutha township south of the city of Durban, South Africa, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo)

Overview

  • Eight gunmen armed with AK-47s and handguns attacked a tavern in Wedela on Saturday night, killing 17 people and wounding 15 as attackers searched victims and fled in vehicles.
  • Roughly four hours later, gunmen entered an entertainment venue in Lwandle near Cape Town in the early hours of Sunday, killing 10 people and wounding 11.
  • No arrests had been reported by Sunday and police in Gauteng and the Western Cape said they were searching for multiple suspects using photographic leads and coordinated manhunts.
  • Investigators are probing motives that include retaliation, gang or illegal-mining turf wars and business rivalry, and authorities have mobilised detectives, specialist units and increased deployments to the scenes.
  • The attacks add to a recent string of township massacres and underline South Africa’s high homicide rate, widespread illegal firearms and political pressure for tougher action ahead of municipal elections.