CAPE TOWN, Sept 27: At least 27 people have been killed in two separate mass shootings in townships near South Africa’s major cities, police said on Sunday.
In the first incident, 17 people were killed on Saturday night when several gunmen reportedly opened fire at a bar in Wedela township, southwest of Johannesburg.
According to police, eight suspects armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols were involved in the attack. At least 15 people were injured in the shooting.
In a separate incident, 10 people were killed and another 11 wounded when gunmen opened fire at a store in Lwandle, near Cape Town, at around 1 am on Sunday.
Police said multiple suspects were being sought in connection with the second shooting. No arrests had been reported in either case.
The two attacks came just days after another mass shooting near Durban, where three gunmen allegedly opened fire at a house party, killing 11 people, including a pregnant woman.
The latest incidents have renewed concerns over violent crime and gun violence in South Africa, which has long struggled with high levels of violent crime.
Police investigations into all three incidents are ongoing.
