South Africa shootings kill at least 27 near Johannesburg and Cape Town

At least 27 people were killed and 26 wounded in separate shootings near Johannesburg and Cape Town, police said. Gunmen attacked a tavern in Wedela late Saturday and a venue in Lwandle early Sunday. Police had announced no arrests in either case.

The Wedela attack began at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday, according to Al Jazeera. Gunmen fired at customers gathered outside the tavern, southwest of Johannesburg, then went inside and continued shooting. Seventeen people — 13 men and four women — were killed, and 15 others were wounded.

Police were searching for eight suspects who were “reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols,” Al Jazeera reported. Investigators said some customers were searched during the attack and had their mobile phones taken. The suspects fled in two vehicles, while two other vehicles were burned during the incident. Police said the motive remained unknown.

Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said detectives and specialist police units had been assigned to find the eight suspects, according to Al Jazeera. Police opened 17 murder cases, 15 attempted murder cases and two cases related to property damage, the outlet reported.

The Lwandle shooting took place after midnight Sunday, police said. At least 10 people were killed and 11 wounded at a site near Cape Town described as a store by Al Jazeera and as an entertainment venue by CBS News. Five victims died at the scene and five died while being taken to a hospital, CBS News reported. Police were searching for multiple suspects.

The shootings came days after an attack at a house party near Durban killed 11 people, including a pregnant woman, according to Al Jazeera.

South Africa records high levels of violent crime, including killings involving firearms. CBS News reported that the country, with a population of about 62 million, records roughly 60 murders a day and has both legal and illegal guns in wide circulation. Gun violence is often linked to gang rivalries and competition among informal businesses, the outlet reported, though police have not identified a motive for the Wedela shooting.

In March, soldiers moved into violence hotspots in Johannesburg to support police efforts against crime, CBS News reported. President Cyril Ramaphosa has described rampant crime as one of the biggest threats facing South Africa. The government has faced sustained pressure to improve public safety, particularly in major urban areas, according to Al Jazeera.