At least 27 people have been killed in two separate mass shootings in South Africa’s major cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town, police said on Sunday, as the country continues to grapple with persistent gun violence and violent crime.
The two attacks occurred within hours of each other, with 17 people killed at a bar west of Johannesburg on Saturday night and another 10 people shot dead at an entertainment venue in a township outside Cape Town early on Sunday.
The first shooting occurred at about 7:30pm GMT on Saturday when eight gunmen, reportedly armed with assault rifles, stormed a bar and opened fire on patrons.
According to police, the attackers initially targeted people drinking outside the premises before moving inside and continuing the shooting.
Seventeen people were killed in the attack, including 13 males and four females, while 15 others sustained gunshot injuries and were taken for medical treatment.
Police said the motive for the attack remained unknown.
The gunmen reportedly fled the scene after setting two vehicles on fire, adding another dimension to the investigation as security agencies work to identify those responsible and establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.
No arrests had been made in connection with the Johannesburg shooting as of Sunday, according to police.
A second mass shooting occurred several hours later at an entertainment venue in a township outside Cape Town.
Police said gunmen opened fire at the venue, killing 10 people and injuring 11 others.
Five of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the remaining victims died from their injuries while being transported to hospital.
As with the Johannesburg attack, police said no suspects had been arrested in connection with the Cape Town shooting.
The two incidents have renewed concerns over South Africa’s long-running struggle with violent crime and the widespread availability of both legal and illegal firearms.
South Africa, with a population of about 62 million people, has one of the highest murder rates in the world, with the country recording roughly 60 murders daily, according to figures cited in reports on the latest attacks.
Authorities have repeatedly linked violent crime in parts of the country to gang activity, disputes over territory and competition involving informal businesses.
The latest shootings occurred as the South African government continues efforts to strengthen security operations in areas regarded as hotspots for violent crime.
In March, soldiers were deployed to violence hotspots in Johannesburg to support police operations aimed at tackling criminal activity.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously described violent crime as one of the major threats facing South Africa, while successive governments have relied on military deployments during periods of serious unrest or heightened security concerns.
The military was deployed during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 to assist with enforcement operations.
In 2021, soldiers were again deployed following widespread riots triggered by the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma. The unrest resulted in significant loss of life and extensive destruction of property.
In 2023, the government deployed soldiers following a series of truck burnings that raised concerns about the possibility of wider unrest.
The Cape Town region has also previously witnessed military deployments to support police operations against gangs.
In 2019, approximately 1,300 soldiers were deployed to gang-affected communities in the Cape Flats area surrounding Cape Town.
Despite such interventions, violent crime and shootings have remained persistent problems in several parts of the country.
The latest attacks have therefore renewed questions about the effectiveness of existing security measures and the continuing availability of firearms to criminal groups.
In addition to the mass shootings, authorities in Johannesburg are investigating a separate series of killings involving women.
Police said 10 women had been killed within a single municipality over a two-month period, with the latest victim reportedly found on Saturday.
The woman was reportedly discovered semi-naked and with injuries consistent with having been attacked.
Police said a suspect had been taken into custody in connection with the killings.
The other victims were reportedly mostly women in their 20s and 30s, with some found partially undressed and showing indications of possible sexual assault.
Authorities have offered a reward of 400,000 South African rand for information that could lead to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the killings.
The Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s second-largest political party, has reportedly offered an additional reward of about $31,000.
The developments have intensified public concern about violent crime, particularly in communities where residents face repeated incidents of shootings, gang violence and other forms of criminality.
For investigators, the immediate priority in the two mass shootings is to establish the identities of the gunmen, determine their motives and establish whether the attacks were connected.
Police have not indicated that the Johannesburg and Cape Town shootings were linked, and there was no immediate evidence publicly establishing a connection between the two incidents.
The attacks nevertheless highlight the continuing security challenges facing South Africa, where authorities have struggled to contain violent crime despite repeated police operations and periodic military deployments.
The latest killings are also likely to renew calls for stronger action against illegal firearms and organised criminal networks.
For the families of the victims, however, the immediate concern remains the loss of loved ones and the recovery of those injured in the attacks.
With investigations ongoing and no suspects arrested in either mass shooting as of Sunday, South African police face the task of identifying those responsible and determining the circumstances that led to the latest deadly attacks.
