Two separate mass shooting incidents in two different towns in South Africa left at least 27 people dead. South African police said that 17 people were killed last night after gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire inside a tavern in the town of Wedela, southwest of Johannesburg. In a separate statement, police reported that 10 people were killed in a mass shooting inside a shop in the town of Lwandle, near Cape Town, at around 1 a.m. on Sunday.
In the first incident, police explained that the attack occurred on Saturday evening, when gunmen carrying Kalashnikov rifles and pistols arrived at the tavern and opened fire on customers sitting outside.
They added that the attackers then entered the tavern and continued firing at those inside. Emergency teams reported that 17 people died at the scene, including 13 men and 4 women, while 15 people wounded by gunfire were transported to medical facilities for treatment.
Phone Robbery and Two Cars Set Ablaze
According to police, the attackers searched several tavern customers and took their mobile phones before leaving the scene in two unidentified vehicles. Two cars were also set on fire during the attack, although it was not immediately clear whether the attackers were responsible for setting them ablaze. The authorities have not identified the perpetrators or their motives, nor have they announced the arrest of any suspects. Police formed a team of investigators and specialized units to track down the gunmen and opened an investigation into 17 counts of murder and 15 counts of attempted murder.
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Author: Counselor Faisal Al-Mutairi.
Publication Date: September 27, 2026.
Updated: September 2026.
