South African authorities are hunting for suspects following two separate mass shootings that have left at least 27 people dead. The violence struck both a location southwest of Johannesburg and an entertainment venue in Cape Town within the span of a few hours on Saturday night.
Police reported that gunmen opened fire at a bar west of Johannesburg around 9:30 p.m. local time, killing 17 people and wounding 15 others. According to the South African Police Service, the attackers allegedly frisked patrons for their mobile phones before escaping in two vehicles of an unknown description. Emergency responders confirmed that all 17 victims died at the scene.
Investigators stated that the motive behind the attack remains unclear. Suspects were believed to be armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols.
Hours earlier, a distinct incident in the Lwandle area of Cape Town left 10 people dead and 11 injured. The shooting took place at an entertainment venue around 1:46 a.m. local time on Saturday (2346 GMT on Friday). Officials confirmed that five of the victims were deceased at the scene.
Police have launched investigations into both incidents as details continue to emerge.
AK-47s on the loose in two cities simultaneously? Either these are highly coordinated attacks or the gun control situation is out of control.
27 lives lost in hours. How does South Africa keep suffering this much violence? It is absolutely heartbreaking and terrifying.