South African police have launched a manhunt after a mass shooting left 17 people dead at a tavern in Gauteng province.
The attack occurred around 9:30 p.m. On Saturday at a bar in Wedela township, located southwest of Johannesburg, according to a statement the South African Police Service posted on X. Emergency medical services declared 13 men and 4 women dead at the scene.
Fifteen additional victims sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to medical facilities for treatment. The motive for the shooting remains unknown, police said.
“Suspects were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols,” the police statement said.
The attackers allegedly targeted the establishment specifically, opening fire on customers who were drinking outside before moving inside to continue shooting. No arrests have been made in connection with the massacre.
The Wedela township shooting adds to South Africa’s persistent struggle with violent crime, particularly in informal settlements and townships where illegal firearms circulate widely. Mass shootings at social venues have become a recurring horror in the country, with taverns frequently targeted by armed groups.
South Africa maintains one of the highest murder rates globally, though mass casualty events on this scale remain shocking even within that context. The use of military-style weapons including AK-47 rifles points to the proliferation of automatic firearms in criminal hands.
Police have not identified any suspects or released descriptions of those involved in Saturday night’s attack. The manhunt continues as investigators work to determine what prompted the coordinated assault on the crowded venue.
The 15 wounded survivors remain under medical care, their conditions unknown. Authorities have appealed for information from anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has knowledge of those responsible.
The South African Police Service is expected to provide further updates as the investigation develops.