South African police hunt suspects after two shootings kill 27

South African police are searching for suspects after two separate mass shootings killed 27 people and wounded 26 within several hours, according to police and the supplied report. The first attack took place at about 9.30pm on Saturday at a bar in Wedela township, around 80 kilometres southwest of Johannesburg. Police said eight gunmen carrying AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire on people outside before entering the bar and continuing the attack.

Thirteen men and four women were killed, while 15 other people suffered gunshot wounds. Police said the attackers searched some patrons, took their mobile phones and fled in two vehicles. No arrests had been announced, and investigators had not established a motive.

Police and army pathologists were sent to Wedela on Sunday to examine the scene. Two burnt vehicles were visible nearby, although police had not said whether they were connected to the shooting. Residents referred to the presence of illegal gold miners, but police had not linked those miners to the attack.

About four hours later, gunmen attacked a store in Lwandle township on the outskirts of Cape Town. Ten people were killed and 11 wounded after the shooting, which occurred shortly after 1am on Sunday. Police said they were looking for several suspects but did not specify how many.

Investigators were treating the attacks as separate incidents and had not announced any connection between them. The killings followed a shooting at a house party near Durban on Tuesday, in which 11 people, including a pregnant woman, were killed. The latest violence has renewed concern over illegal firearms and organised crime in South Africa.

Police recorded 5,427 killings between April and June, according to the supplied report. The attacks also came before municipal elections in November, when crime is expected to be an important issue for voters.