South Africa Mass Shooting: 17 Dead, 15 Injured Near Johannesburg As Gunmen Open Fire at Bar (Video)
Eight gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire at a tavern in Wedela township southwest of Johannesburg, killing 17 people and wounding 15 others. Police confirmed the suspects robbed patrons of mobile phones and set two vehicles ablaze before fleeing. Authorities have mobilised specialised units as a nationwide manhunt gets underway.
Eight gunmen armed with assault rifles opened fire at a bar west of Johannesburg, killing 17 people and leaving 15 others wounded, police said on Sunday, September 27. The shooting is the latest mass-casualty attack in crime-hit South Africa, prompting law enforcement to launch an intensive manhunt across Gauteng province for the perpetrators.
The South African Police Service said authorities have launched a manhunt to find eight armed men following the deadly shooting late on Saturday at a tavern in Wedela township southwest of Johannesburg, Independent reported. The suspects, armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols, entered the bar and began shooting at customers around 9.30pm local time (around 1930 GMT on Saturday), according to police. South Africa Mass Shooting: 11 Killed, 3 Injured at House in KwaMakhutha (Videos).
South Africa Mass Shooting Kills 17
#BREAKING At least 17 people were killed and 15 others seriously wounded in a mass shooting at a tavern in Wedela, near Carletonville, South Africa, on Saturday night.
Police said at least eight suspects armed with AK-47 rifles and handguns opened fire on patrons outside the… pic.twitter.com/KDmy5rZtYo
— Global OSINT (@GlobalOSINTHQ) September 27, 2026
South Africa Mass Shooting: Armed Attackers Target Patrons Inside and Outside Venue
The suspects allegedly targeted the tavern, opening fire on customers drinking outside and then moving inside to continue shooting, the police said. The rapid volley of gunfire gave victims little opportunity to seek cover within the crowded facility.
All 17 people, including four women, were shot and killed at the bar and declared dead at the scene by the ambulance service, police said. Among those killed were 13 men and four women, police said. Fifteen others suffered gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospital for treatment. Philippines School Shooting: 2 Students, Teenage Gunman Killed, 10 Injured at High School.
After the shooting, the attackers allegedly searched some of the patrons and took their mobile phones before escaping. “They allegedly searched some patrons and took their cellphones before fleeing the scene in two unidentified motor vehicles," police said. Police also said the suspects set two vehicles on fire before fleeing the area.
Police said the motive behind the shooting was unknown. No arrests have been made, the police said in a statement. “Police have mobilised a team of detectives and other specialised units to trace and apprehend the suspects," they said. Ballistics and forensic specialists were deployed to process cartridge casings and track the getaway route taken by the two unidentified vehicles.
Meanwhile, 10 people were killed and 11 others wounded in a separate shooting at an entertainment venue in a township outside Cape Town early on Sunday, underscoring a violent weekend across major urban centres.
Shootings are frequent in South Africa, where both legal and illegal firearms are widely available. Gang rivalries and competition among informal businesses are often linked to such violence.
South Africa, with a population of around 62 million, has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Around 60 people are killed in the country each day. In March, soldiers were deployed to violence hotspots in Johannesburg to assist police in tackling crime. President Cyril Ramaphosa has described rampant crime as one of the biggest threats facing the country.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 27, 2026 01:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
