South Africa Mass Shootings Death Toll Rises to 28
South African authorities have raised the combined death toll from two weekend mass shootings to 28, after another victim from the first attack succumbed to injuries in the hospital. The twin attacks on Saturday night have deeply shocked a nation already struggling with violent crime and high homicide rates.
The death toll from the initial shooting—which took place at a tavern in the Wedela township near Johannesburg—rose to 18 following the hospital death.
During the incident, gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles stormed the venue, opening fire on patrons gathered outside before moving inside the bar to continue shooting. Before fleeing, the gunmen searched several patrons, robbed them of their mobile phones, and set two cars on fire outside the establishment. The attackers escaped in two vehicles.
Approximately four hours after the Wedela tavern attack, a second mass shooting occurred at a store linked to an entertainment venue in Lwandle township, near Cape Town.
The Lwandle shooting left 10 people dead and 11 wounded. Police confirmed they are actively searching for multiple suspects involved in the incident.
Of the 18 victims killed in Wedela, authorities have officially confirmed the identities of four so far: two South African citizens and two Lesotho nationals.
Police confirmed that all hospitalized victims across the incidents have been identified. Five of the surviving victims remain in critical condition after suffering gunshot wounds to the upper body, while the remaining injured are in stable condition.
A joint investigative team comprising detectives and members of the South African Defence Force is currently handling the investigation. As of Monday, no arrests have been made.
