Gunmen Kill 27 in 2 South African Township Shootings as Police Hunt 8 Suspects

1 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Sep 27

At least 27 people were killed and more than 20 wounded in two township shootings late Saturday and early Sunday, with the deadliest attack hitting a tavern in Wedela southwest of Johannesburg.
Police said 17 people died and 15 were wounded in Wedela after gunmen opened fire outside the tavern, then inside, before fleeing in two vehicles; some victims were searched and had mobile phones taken.
A second attack after midnight in Lwandle near Cape Town killed at least 10 people and wounded 11 at a store, and police said they were searching for multiple suspects.
Eight suspects in the Wedela shooting were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols; no arrests were announced and the motive remained unknown.
The attacks came days after 11 people, including a pregnant woman, were killed at a house party near Durban, underscoring pressure on South Africa's government to curb persistent gun violence.