Two mass shootings in South Africa leave 28 dead
Two weekend mass shootings in South African townships have left 28 people dead following attacks near Johannesburg and Cape Town. The combined death toll increased to 28 after another victim died in a hospital following a tavern shooting in the Wedela township. Police launched a manhunt for multiple suspects involved in the two separate weekend incidents that occurred hours apart. A separate shooting occurred at a barbecue venue near Cape Town, adding to a recent spate of mass shootings that killed 38 people in a week.
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- ✓ Two mass shootings in South African townships over the weekend killed 28 people.
- ✓ Eighteen people were killed in a shooting at a tavern in the Wedela township, about 80 kilometers west of Johannesburg.
- ✓ Ten people were killed in a separate shooting at a barbecue venue near Cape Town in Lwandle.
- ✓ Police are hunting for multiple suspects following the attacks.
What changed
Authorities raised the combined death toll to 28 after an injured victim died in the hospital.
Live updates
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South Africa Mass Shootings Leave 28 Dead
Two weekend mass shootings in South African townships have left 28 people dead following attacks near Johannesburg and Cape Town. The combined death toll increased to 28 after another victim died in a hospital following a tavern shooting in the Wedela township. Police launched a manhunt for multiple suspects involved in the two separate weekend incidents that occurred hours apart. A separate shooting occurred at a barbecue venue near Cape Town, adding to a recent spate of mass shootings that killed 38 people in a week.
Why it matters
The twin attacks highlight ongoing struggles with high levels of gang-related armed violence and some of the highest homicide rates in the world. The violence has deepened public alarm over violent crime as law enforcement agencies pursue multiple suspects. South Africa continues to grapple with armed criminal networks.
What is confirmed
- Two mass shootings in South African townships over the weekend killed 28 people.
- Eighteen people were killed in a shooting at a tavern in the Wedela township, about 80 kilometers west of Johannesburg.
- Ten people were killed in a separate shooting at a barbecue venue near Cape Town in Lwandle.
- Police are hunting for multiple suspects following the attacks.
Still unconfirmed
- The Wedela tavern shooting was linked to a suspected illegal goldmining turf war.
What to watch next
- Police apprehension and identification of suspects
- Official updates on the condition of those injured in the tavern and barbecue venue shootings
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (17)
- CNN — South Africa police launch manhunt after 17 killed in tavern shooting
- BBC — Two mass shootings in South Africa leave 27 dead
- The Guardian — At least 27 dead in two mass shootings in South Africa, police say
- nytimes.com — At Least 27 Killed in 2 Overnight Mass Shootings in South Africa
- NPR — South Africa reels from spate of mass shootings that killed 38 people in a week
- Reuters — South African police: death toll from weekend tavern shooting rises to 18
- Yahoo — Death toll in South Africa bar shooting rises to 18
- NPR — Police in South Africa are investigating a spate of mass shootings
- CNN — South Africa police hunt suspects after twin shootings leave nearly 30 people dead
- www.latimes.com — Police hunt gunmen after 2 mass shootings in South Africa leave at least 27 dead
- www.theguardian.com — At least 27 dead after two mass shootings in South Africa, police say | South Africa
- www.bbc.com — Two mass shootings in South Africa leave 28 dead - BBC
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