Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
At least 27 people have been killed and 26 others injured in two separate mass shootings in South Africa, with attacks reported in townships near Johannesburg and Cape Town within hours of each other.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said 17 people were killed in a shooting at a tavern in Wedela, southwest of Johannesburg, late on Saturday, September 26, while another 10 people were killed at an entertainment venue in Lwandle, near Cape Town, in the early hours of Sunday.
Police have launched investigations and manhunts for the suspects. No arrests had been reported in either case at the time of publication.
17 Killed in Wedela Tavern Shooting
The first attack occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on Saturday in Wedela township in Gauteng’s West Rand district, according to police reports.
Police said eight suspects armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire on patrons at a tavern. The attackers reportedly first targeted people gathered outside before entering the premises and continuing to shoot.
Seventeen people were killed in the attack, including 13 males and four females. Another 15 people sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to medical facilities for treatment.
Police said the suspects allegedly searched some patrons and took their mobile phones before fleeing in two unidentified vehicles.
The motive for the attack had not been established, and police said no arrests had been made.
South African authorities have assigned detectives and specialised police units to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Ten Killed Near Cape Town
Several hours later, another mass shooting was reported in Lwandle, a township near Cape Town in the Western Cape.
Police said gunmen entered an entertainment venue that also sells grilled meat, commonly known as a shisanyama, at about 1:46 a.m. on Sunday and opened fire on patrons.
Ten people were killed while 11 others were injured.
Five victims were declared dead at the scene, while five others later died from injuries after being transported to medical facilities, according to police. The 11 injured victims were receiving medical treatment.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Sizakhele Dyantyi established a multidisciplinary investigative team led by serious violent crime detectives.
Police also increased their deployment in the Lwandle area as the search for the suspects continued.
No Arrests Reported
The two shootings were being investigated separately, and police had not announced arrests in either case when the latest reports were published.
In Wedela, police opened 17 murder cases and 15 attempted-murder cases, according to reporting from Al Jazeera based on police information. Investigators were also dealing with cases connected to damage to property following the attack.
In Lwandle, police opened murder and attempted-murder cases while detectives continued efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify the perpetrators.
The identities of those killed in Lwandle were expected to be released after their next of kin had been notified.
Shootings Follow Recent Durban Massacre
The latest attacks came only days after another mass shooting in KwaZulu-Natal.
A shooting at a house in KwaMakhutha, south of Durban, left at least 12 people dead, according to a police update reported by SABC News on September 26. Fourteen people had reportedly gathered at the homestead when armed men entered and opened fire.
The KwaMakhutha attack initially left 11 people dead, but the death toll increased after one of three wounded victims died in hospital.
Police have not ruled out gang rivalry as a possible motive in that case.
The sequence of shootings has brought renewed attention to South Africa’s longstanding struggle with violent crime and firearms.
South Africa’s Persistent Gun Violence Problem
South Africa has continued to record high levels of violent crime, with firearms playing a major role in many killings.
According to reporting by the Associated Press, official police statistics recorded 5,427 homicides between April and June 2026, equivalent to nearly 60 killings a day during that three-month period.
The latest attacks have also highlighted the particular vulnerability of township communities, where taverns, entertainment venues and other informal gathering places can become targets for armed attacks.
Authorities have previously used additional policing operations and military deployments in areas affected by serious violent crime.
The issue has therefore extended beyond individual criminal investigations to a wider public-safety challenge involving illegal firearms, organised crime and violence in some communities.
However, the motives behind the latest Wedela and Lwandle shootings remain under investigation, and authorities have not publicly established a connection between the two incidents.
What Happens Next
Police investigations are continuing at both crime scenes.
In Wedela, detectives and specialised units are working to identify and locate the eight suspects reportedly involved in the attack. In Lwandle, a multidisciplinary team led by serious violent crime detectives is investigating the shooting while police maintain an increased presence in the area.
Authorities are expected to provide further information as investigations develop, including the identities of victims once their families have been notified and any developments concerning suspects or arrests.
For now, police have not confirmed the motives behind either of the two latest shootings.
The attacks leave a combined death toll of at least 27 people and come amid a broader series of deadly shootings in South Africa during the week.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- South African Police Service (SAPS)
- SABC News
- Reuters
- Associated Press
- The Guardian
- Al Jazeera
