Gunmen Kill 17 in South Africa Bar Shooting, 15 Wounded

Johannesburg: South African police launched a manhunt on Sunday after eight gunmen armed with assault rifles and pistols opened fire at a tavern in Wedela, West Rand District, west of Johannesburg, killing 17 people and wounding 15 others in the latest mass shooting to hit the country.

Police said the attack took place at around 9.30 pm local time on Saturday, when the assailants first opened fire on patrons drinking outside the tavern before entering the establishment and continuing to shoot at people inside. The gunmen allegedly searched some patrons and took their cellphones before fleeing the scene in two vehicles, which they set on fire.

According to reports, the victims included 13 men and four women, while 15 people with gunshot wounds were transferred to medical facilities for treatment. No arrests have been made so far, and the motive behind the attack remains unknown.

Police said they have mobilised a team of detectives along with other specialised units to trace and apprehend the suspects.

The incident comes just days after a separate mass shooting at a house party in KwaMakhutha township, south of Durban, on September 23. In another attack reported the same weekend, 10 people were killed and 11 wounded in a shooting outside Cape Town.