AT least 27 people have been killed and 26 are injured after two mass shootings just hours apart in South Africa.
An urgent manhunt has been launched for several suspects – with eight alleged gunmen from the first attack armed with AK-47s and pistols, police say.
The first assault unfolded at a bar in the Wedela township, southwest of Johannesburg, at 9.30pm local time on Saturday.
At least 17 were killed and 15 people were left injured, authorities said.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and pronounced 13 men and four women dead at the scene.
It is currently unclear what the motive behind the shooting is, South African police said on X, but they are currently looking for eight suspected gunmen.
Cops added: “Suspects were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols.”
They also said the attackers allegedly searched some of the people inside and took their cellphones before fleeing in two vehicles.
The 15 injured victims have been rushed to hospital and are being treated for gunshot wounds.
No arrests have been made yet, authorities added.
The suspects allegedly targeted the tavern, opening fire on customers drinking outside.
The gunmen then entered the building before continuing to shoot bystanders, cops said.
It came just hours before another shooting broke out in Cape Town, South Africa’s second largest city.
At least 10 people were killed and 11 were injured after gunmen opened fire at an entertainment venue in Lwandle on Saturday night.
Local cops said five people were pronounced dead at the scene, while the other five succumbed to their injuries in hospital.
The deadly attack took place at around 11.45pm on the same night, just hours after the first shooting.
Images showed the aftermath of the attack, with emotional locals crowded round the building as cops took evidence.
The two attacks in South Africa bring the total death count to 27 in the space of just a few hours.
The country has been plagued by high rates of violent crime for years – with deadly shootings taking place often around major cities.
