Nearly 30 killed in two mass shootings in South Africa
At least 27 people have been killed in two separate mass shootings in South Africa overnight.
In the first attack, it’s believed a group of eight people armed with pistols and AK-47 assault riffles attacked patrons at a bar in Wedela, just outside Johannesburg, police said.
Nearly 30 people have been killed in two mass shootings in South Africa overnight. AP
The group of attackers moved inside the bar after opening fire on customers outside, and continued shooting.
The death toll has risen to 17 this morning, with 15 wounded.
The attackers fled in the same vehicle they’d arrived in and remain on the run.
“The suspects allegedly entered the informal settlement through both entrances and moved through the area, opening fire on residents and community members at multiple locations before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle,” police said in a statement.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni said police were following leads, including CCTV at the service station, but no arrests had been made.
“You could classify these people to be insane, heartless, barbaric,” he said.
“Because you could see the way they were moving, because when we try to account on what actually happened, you could see they entered in, start shooting, and then going forward, and at the end of the day, and then they were picked up.”
Provincial and district detectives are investigating along with crime intelligence and forensic experts.
In a second mass shooting overnight, a group of attackers opened fire at another tavern in Lwandle.
Five people were killed at the scene and five others later died in hospital, with 11 others injured, police said.
The South African Police Service said eight men and three women were declared dead in the Jumpers Informal Settlement and another man died in hospital. Google Maps
“It seems that there’s business rivalry, business jealousy that might have been there the issue because of the people are buying alcohol maybe at cheaper places and they come and drink in this place,” Lieutenant General Sizkhele William Dyantyi said, according to CNN.
Mthombeni said it was too early to confirm whether the Wedela shooting was linked to illegal mining in the settlement.
Mthombeni denied his police force had “lost the fight” against the practice.
“You have to take note that the crimes get committed within the community to a certain extent by the community,” he said.
Suspects in both shootings remain on the run. AP
“These collaborations, which we have with the community, is quite important.
“What I’m trying to say is that within the province we’re trying to work collectively with the communities, the community policing forum, the councillors as well.
“But to say total we are failing in terms of a fight against crime, it’s not a true fact.”
Crime statistics released on Tuesday showed a five per cent decrease in serious crimes, with a 15 per cent drop in murders.
No arrests have been made in connection with either shooting overnight.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us