Gunmen Kill 17, Injure 15 at South African Bar

Johannesburg: (News Desk) – Eight gunmen armed with assault rifles killed 17 people and wounded 15 others at a bar west of Johannesburg, South African police said on Sunday, in the latest mass shooting to hit the crime-plagued country.

The attackers reportedly searched some patrons and took their mobile phones before escaping in two unidentified vehicles, police said. The shooting took place at around 7:30pm GMT on Saturday.

Police said the victims included 13 men and four women. The motive behind the attack remains unknown, while the suspects reportedly set two vehicles on fire before fleeing the area.

Authorities have deployed detectives and specialised police units to identify and arrest those responsible for the shooting.

In a separate incident, 10 people were killed and 11 others wounded when gunmen opened fire at an entertainment venue in a township outside Cape Town early Sunday.

South Africa has a widespread presence of both licensed and illegal firearms, while shootings are frequently linked to gang disputes and competition between informal businesses.

With a population of around 62 million, the country has one of the world’s highest murder rates, with approximately 60 people killed each day.

In March, soldiers were deployed to violence-affected areas of Johannesburg to assist police in combating crime. President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the country’s high level of violence as one of its major threats.