27 people killed in two mass shootings in South Africa

27 people have died and another 26 have been injured in two mass shootings that occurred at two locations in South Africa on the night between September 26 and 27, 2026. These attacks took place at a tavern west of Johannesburg and a shisanyama (meat braai spot) near Cape Town. With another mass killing near Durban five days prior, the total number of deaths from mass shootings in the country over the past week has risen to 38.

As of Sunday morning, the South African Police Service (SAPS) had not officially confirmed any arrests in connection with these incidents, nor had the identities of the deceased been revealed pending notification of relatives.

The deadliest attack of the weekend was reported at approximately 9:30 PM on Saturday at 'Dora's Tavern' in Wedela, West Rand, about 80 km southwest of central Johannesburg. According to police reports, eight gunmen armed with AK-47 firearms and pistols first shot at people outside the tavern, then entered the building and continued firing. The attackers also robbed people of their mobile phones, set two vehicles on fire, and fled in two unidentified vehicles. Emergency medical services confirmed that 17 people, including 13 men and 4 women, died at the scene, and another 15 were injured and hospitalized. Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni stated that while several Ethiopian and Lesotho nationals were among the deceased, the majority were South Africans.

Although the exact motive for the Wedela massacre has not yet been officially revealed, investigators are examining several angles. Robbery, a conflict between illegal gold mining gangs (zama zamas) in the Carletonville area, or retaliation related to a shooting incident a month prior at the same tavern where a person died, are suspected causes. Media reports later on Sunday indicated that a suspect with forensic evidence was arrested in the Saanien area of Limpopo, but police have not yet officially confirmed this.

Hours later, at approximately 1:46 AM on Sunday, a group of gunmen stormed the 'Kwandelu Shisanyama' entertainment venue in Lwandle, near the Cape Town city limits, and opened fire on the crowd. According to videos circulating on social media, people were dancing moments before the shooting began. This attack resulted in the deaths of 10 people, including 8 men and 2 women (five died at the scene, and another five after being hospitalized), while 11 others were injured and are receiving treatment. Business rivalry over bringing in cheaper alcohol from outside is suspected to be the cause of this attack, and the Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner has appointed a team of expert detectives to investigate the matter.

A few days before these two tragedies, on the night of Tuesday, September 22, three gunmen stormed a party in KwaMakutha, south of Durban, killing 11 people, including a pregnant woman. Police suspect it was the result of a conflict between two rival criminal gangs. These attacks, unlike single-person shootings in a school or shopping mall, clearly reflect the direct impact of illegal firearms and organized crime gangs prevalent across South Africa. With a population of 62 million, South Africa records an average of about 60 murders per day, and over 22,700 murders occurred in the 12-month period ending June 30 alone.

In response to this violence, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on television, stating that this wave of crime must be suppressed immediately and that security forces are taking all necessary steps to do so. The military has also been deployed to some crime-ridden areas since early 2026. Meanwhile, several other major events were discussed across South Africa this weekend, including the hearings of the Zondo Commission investigating police corruption, and the fear of a serial killer caused by the continuous discovery of female bodies near Johannesburg Airport (the tenth body was found recently).