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Police hunt suspects after two mass shootings kill 27+

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 6:15 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Police Hunt Gunmen

Police are hunting suspects after two township mass shootings killed at least 27 people.
Eight AK-47-armed gunmen stormed a Wedela tavern, killing 17 and wounding 15.
Gunmen fired at an entertainment venue in Lwandle near Cape Town, killing 10 and injuring 11.
Police have not ruled out gang rivalry or illegal-mining turf wars as motives.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said organized crime threatens democracy and deployed soldiers to support police in high-crime areas.

Summary

Police Probe Shooting

Police disclosed that two Lesotho nationals died in the Wedela shooting.
Gunmen took several victims' mobile phones before fleeing in two unidentified vehicles.
Detectives and specialised units opened 17 murder and 15 attempted-murder investigations.
The Crime Stop Line (08600 10111) and MySAPS app were publicised for tips.
Families of the injured continue receiving medical treatment at local hospitals.

History

Historical Context

Operation Fiela, a joint South African Police Service effort operating since at least 2015, was designed to purge illegal weapons, drug dens and other crime networks across KwaZulu-Natal and other hotspots. The recent Wedela and Lwandle mass shootings echo the same organized-crime and illegal-mining turf disputes that Fiela aimed to dismantle, underscoring the need for sustained security reforms.

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Police Hunt Gunmen

Police are hunting suspects after two township mass shootings killed at least 27 people.
Eight AK-47-armed gunmen stormed a Wedela tavern, killing 17 and wounding 15.
Gunmen fired at an entertainment venue in Lwandle near Cape Town, killing 10 and injuring 11.
Police have not ruled out gang rivalry or illegal-mining turf wars as motives.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said organized crime threatens democracy and deployed soldiers to support police in high-crime areas.

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