South Africa has recorded another wave of deadly gun violence, with 27 people killed and 26 others injured in separate attacks in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The shootings occurred within hours of each other, adding to growing concerns over violent crime in the country as authorities continue efforts to tackle criminal gangs and organised violence.
In the first attack, eight gunmen armed with assault rifles and pistols stormed a bar in Wedela, southwest of Johannesburg, at about 7:30pm GMT on Saturday.
Police said the attackers initially opened fire on customers who were drinking outside the premises before entering the bar and continuing the shooting.
Seventeen people were killed, including 13 men and four women, while 15 others were wounded.
The suspects reportedly set two vehicles on fire before fleeing the area.
Wedela is a semi rural township made up largely of brick houses and small businesses, with large areas of land used for mining nearby. The community has also been among areas targeted in the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining and criminal networks operating around abandoned mine shafts.
The motive for the attack remains unclear. However, police said it may have been linked to an earlier incident at the same tavern.
Deputy provincial police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana said investigators had obtained clear images of the suspects and were confident they could identify and arrest those responsible.
He said one of the victims in the latest attack had previously been sought by police over an incident at the same establishment last month, in which one person was killed and another wounded.
A separate shooting occurred early Sunday at a barbecue venue in a township outside Cape Town.
Police said gunmen opened fire on people at the venue, killing 10 and injuring 11 others.
Videos circulating on social media showed people dancing and drinking before gunshots suddenly broke out, sending revellers running for safety.
Five victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the others died while being taken to hospital. Two of those killed were women.
Police said no arrests had been made in either shooting at the time of the report.
South Africa Deploys Military Against Violent Crime
The latest attacks come as South Africa continues to face widespread gun violence, with gangs, organised crime and disputes involving local businesses frequently linked to shootings.
The country, which has a population of about 62 million, records roughly 60 murders each day, placing it among nations with some of the highest murder rates globally.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday that security agencies would continue doing everything possible to reduce criminality and violence.
He stressed that the country could not allow a situation where people simply acquire firearms and use them to attack others at random.
The latest shootings also followed another deadly attack in Durban last week, when gunmen reportedly stormed a house party and killed 11 people, including a pregnant woman.
South Africa has repeatedly deployed soldiers to support police operations in areas affected by serious violence.
In March, Ramaphosa ordered the deployment of troops to crime hotspots in Johannesburg, describing the high level of criminality as one of the major threats facing the country.
The military has also been used during previous periods of serious national insecurity, including the Covid 19 lockdown in 2020, the unrest that followed the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma in 2021 and widespread truck burnings in 2023.
In 2019, about 1,300 soldiers were deployed to support police operations in the gang affected Cape Flats communities around Cape Town.
Despite these interventions, shootings and other forms of violent crime continue to pose a serious challenge.
In Johannesburg, police are investigating the deaths of 11 women in one municipality over a period of two months. The latest victim was found on Sunday.
A suspect has been arrested in connection with one of the killings after a woman was found semi naked and reportedly stoned to death on Saturday. The arrest brings the number of people detained in connection with the series of killings to four.
Most of the other victims were women in their 20s and 30s. Some were found without their clothes and with indications of possible sexual assault.
Police have announced a 400,000 rand reward for information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible. The Democratic Alliance has also offered an additional $31,000.
105 Nigerians Return Home
Amid the security concerns, Nigeria has evacuated another 105 distressed citizens from South Africa following reported xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Africans in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the latest group consisted of 82 adults and 23 children. They arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways flight SA060 on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at about 8:30pm.
According to the ministry, the evacuation of 100 of the returnees was financed through a $265,854 donation from the Redeemed Christian Church of God towards the purchase of one way tickets for the planned evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
The remaining five returnees were brought home through funding provided by a private Nigerian citizen.
Nigeria’s diplomatic mission is continuing discussions with the RCCG leadership in South Africa, as well as other philanthropic organisations and individuals involved in supporting the evacuation effort.
The ministry said other distressed Nigerians are currently undergoing preliminary clearance with the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg and relevant South African authorities. Their evacuation will proceed once the required procedures have been completed.
The latest return marks the 13th consular evacuation from South Africa since the exercise began on June 10, 2026.
With the arrival of the latest group, the number of Nigerian nationals evacuated from South Africa has now reached 1,821.
