South Africa police launch manhunt after 17 killed in tavern shooting

By Ross Adkin, CNN

(CNN) — South African police launched a manhunt Sunday after 17 people were killed and 15 wounded in a shooting in a township outside Johannesburg.

Police said eight unidentified men opened fire on patrons drinking outside the tavern in Wedela, West Rand District on Saturday evening local time, before they entered the establishment and “continued shooting at patrons inside.”

The alleged assailants were reportedly armed with pistols and AK-47 rifles, officers said.

Fifteen people with gunshot wounds had been transferred to medical facilities for treatment.

“It is alleged that patrons were drinking inside and outside the tavern when the suspects arrived and opened fire on those outside. The suspects then entered the tavern and continued shooting at patrons inside,” South Africa police wrote on X. The attackers allegedly searched some patrons and took their cellphones before fleeing the scene in two unidentified motor vehicles.

No arrests have been made at this stage, police said.

Mass shootings are not uncommon in South Africa. Last week 11 people, including a woman believed to be pregnant, were killed when gunmen opened fire at a house south of the city of Durban.

In June, 12 people were killed at an informal settlement in a Johannesburg suburb.

The latest police figures show that an average of 58 people were murdered each day in South Africa between January and March.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Nimi Princewill contributed reporting.

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