A series of mass shootings in South Africa has left 38 people dead after three cities were hit by armed violence in the same week. Police are still working to establish a motive for the attacks.
Deadly attacks in Cape Town and Johannesburg
On Saturday night, police stated at least 10 people had been killed at a popular local restaurant near Cape Town, with another 11 injured. On the same night, a second shooting occurred near Johannesburg, the country's commercial capital, where 17 people were killed after a group of men attacked a pub.
Police have said the suspects "allegedly searched some patrons and took their cellphones before fleeing the scene in two unidentified motor vehicles. Two vehicles were also set alight during the incident."
Police statement on tavern shooting
Capt Tintswalo Sibeko described the attack: "It is alleged that patrons were drinking inside and outside the tavern when the suspects arrived and opened fire on those outside."
He added: "The suspects then entered the tavern and continued shooting at patrons inside. The suspects were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols. They allegedly searched some patrons and took their cellphones before fleeing the scene in two unidentified motor vehicles. Two vehicles were also set alight during the incident."
Earlier shooting in coastal town
Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, another mass shooting broke out in the coastal town of Turban. The shooting left 11 people dead, including a pregnant woman, and occurred at a house party. The motive is unclear; however, several people at the house party were known to police due to involvement in criminal investigations.
President Ramaphosa responds
President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that organised crime is "the most immediate threat to our democracy, our society and our economic development." Speaking to local TV news channels, he said: "This cannot go on like this. This is the level of criminality that we must bring down, and our security forces are now going to continue pulling out all stops."
South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, averaging 60 a day. Alongside the high murder rate, the number of mass shootings has become a national crisis.
