South Africa is reeling after three separate mass shootings left 31 people dead within seven hours, spanning Gauteng and the Western Cape, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The deadliest attack struck a tavern in Wedela, West Rand, on Saturday night. Eight armed men opened fire on patrons outside before continuing the assault inside, killing 17 people and wounding 15 others. Aljezeera reports police saying the gunmen fled in two vehicles after taking cellphones from some victims.
Hours later, in the early hours of Sunday, gunmen entered a shisanyama in Lwandle, near Somerset West, and opened fire on patrons. Ten people were killed and 11 wounded. Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Sizakhele Dyantyi has established a multidisciplinary investigative team, and said business rivalry over cheaper alcohol sales was a possible motive.
A separate attack claimed four lives in Site C, Khayelitsha. Police arriving at the scene found three men with gunshot wounds inside a stationary vehicle; a fourth victim died en route to hospital.
No arrests have been made in any of the three incidents. Murder and attempted murder cases have been opened, and SAPS has increased deployments to affected communities as investigations continue.
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Wedela tavern shooting leaves 17 dead as police hunt eight suspects
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