South African authorities have launched an investigation after two separate mass shootings in the past 24 hours claimed the lives of at least 27 people across the Gauteng and Western Cape provinces.
In the larger incident, police confirmed on Sunday that gunmen opened fire with assault rifles at a tavern in the Wedela township, located southwest of Johannesburg. The attack, which took place around 9:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, left 17 people dead and 15 others injured. Emergency responders declared all victims deceased at the scene.
Gauteng police are currently hunting for eight unidentified armed men believed to be responsible for the slaughter. According to the South African Police Service, the suspects are believed to have been armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols. They reportedly ransacked the establishment, seizing cellphones from patrons before escaping in two unspecified vehicles.
Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the Gauteng shooting.
The violence continued shortly after the Johannesburg attack, as a second shooting occurred in the town of Lwandle near Cape Town. Police reported that gunmen killed 10 people and wounded 11 others at an entertainment venue at approximately 1:46 a.m. on Sunday (local time).
Of the ten fatalities in the Western Cape incident, five died at the scene, while five others succumbed to their injuries after being transported to hospitals.
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