Two gun attacks kill 27, injure 26 in South Africa

At least 27 people were killed and 26 others injured in two separate gun attacks in South Africa, police said on Sunday (September 27), as armed assailants targeted a bar near Johannesburg and an entertainment venue outside Cape Town.

The first attack took place late Saturday at a bar in western Johannesburg, where eight gunmen armed with assault rifles reportedly stormed the venue, robbed patrons of their mobile phones and then opened fire.

Seventeen people — 13 men and four women — were killed at the scene, while 15 others sustained serious injuries. The attackers reportedly set two vehicles on fire before fleeing in two others.

Police have not established a motive and have formed a special investigative team to identify and arrest those responsible.

A second shooting occurred early Sunday at an entertainment venue near Cape Town, leaving another 10 people dead and 11 injured, according to police.

The attacks come amid persistent concerns over violent crime in South Africa, where gun violence is frequently linked to gang disputes and criminal activity. The country has a population of about 62 million and records more than 60 killings a day on average, according to recent crime data cited by AFP.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described violent crime as a major national-security threat.

Authorities have also deployed soldiers alongside police in some high-risk areas as part of efforts to curb violence.