South African police said on Sunday they had launched a manhunt after 17 people were killed and 15 wounded in a shooting at a tavern in Wedela township southwest of Johannesburg.
Emergency medical services declared the 13 males and four females dead at the scene, and the motive for the shooting was not known, the South African Police Service said in a statement posted on X.
#sapsGP [GAUTENG POLICE LAUNCH MANHUNT AFTER 17 PEOPLE KILLED IN WEDELA TAVERN SHOOTING]
Gauteng police have launched a manhunt for eight unidentified armed men following a deadly shooting at a tavern in Extension 3, Wedela, West Rand District, on Saturday, 26 September 2026, at… pic.twitter.com/2G4jNsYcU6
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 27, 2026
“Suspects were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols,” the statement said of the shooting, which occurred around 9:30pm (1930 GMT) on Saturday in Gauteng province.
15 other victims with gunshot wounds were transported to medical facilities, the police said.
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No arrests have been made, the statement said.
Suspects allegedly targeted the tavern, opening fire on customers drinking outside and then moving inside to continue shooting, the police said.
