South Africa’s deadly weekend: 27 killed in separate shootings in Gauteng and Western Cape

At least 27 people were killed and 26 others wounded over the weekend after two mass shootings in separate provinces: a tavern attack in Wedela, Carletonville, Gauteng, and a shisanyama attack in Lwandle, Cape Town.

Tavern attack in Wedela leaves 17 dead

Police say the first attack occurred at about 9.30pm on Saturday when eight gunmen armed with assault rifles and pistols allegedly opened fire on customers outside a tavern in Wedela before moving inside and continuing the shooting. Seventeen people were killed and 15 wounded.

The victims in the Carletonville attack included 13 males and four females, and police said both South African and foreign nationals were among those killed. Investigators reported that the suspects allegedly searched patrons and took an undisclosed number of cellphones before fleeing the scene in two unidentified vehicles. Two vehicles were also set alight.

Acting Gauteng Police Commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana said investigators had identified some of the suspects.

“Of course, we do have their clear features. Some we do have possible names. But the identity is something which we need to leave to investigators so that they do everything possible. When they appear in court, that’s when you’ll know each one’s identity,”

Shisanyama shooting in Lwandle kills 10

Hours later, in the early hours of Sunday, gunmen entered a shisanyama venue in Lwandle, Cape Town, and opened fire on patrons at about 1.46am, Western Cape police said. Ten people were killed and 11 others wounded in that incident.

Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said five people died at the scene and a further five later succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

“Detectives are hard at work in search of the perpetrators of the shooting incident with no arrests effected yet,”

Potelwa said. Lwandle police have opened cases of murder and attempted murder.

Separate Khayelitsha shooting

Separately in Site C, Khayelitsha, police found three men with multiple gunshot wounds at about 7.15pm on Saturday; two were inside a stationary vehicle and the third was next to it. All three were declared dead at the scene. A fourth man was taken to a medical facility in a private vehicle and died on arrival. Police said the victims were reportedly inside the vehicle when they came under fire. No arrests were reported in that incident.

Official response and investigation

The twin attacks have renewed scrutiny of gun violence, organised crime and policing. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, speaking at the Carletonville scene, acknowledged community fear and said authorities were taking measures while avoiding interference with the police investigation.

“I assure the community here that the brief that the police have given us, this is assuring on the basis of the evidence they’ve already gathered and where that is leading. So let’s give them the opportunity to do that work and find a way of resolving this,”

Lesufi said.

Police in both provinces continue to investigate and are searching for those responsible for the attacks.