At least 15 people were killed and several others critically injured in a mass shooting in South Africa when gunmen began to fire “randomly” into a bar early Sunday, authorities said.
Police say they are investigating reports that a group of men arrived in a minibus taxi and opened fire on some of the patrons at the tavern in Johannesburg’s Soweto township shortly after midnight local time.
Those injured were rushed to a local hospital
The number of cartridges found on the scene indicates that a group of people opened fire in the bar, according to Gauteng province police commissioner Lt. Gen. Elias Mawela.
“The primary investigation suggests that these people were enjoying themselves here, in a licensed tavern operating within the right hours,” Mawela said.
“All of a sudden they heard some gunshots, that is when people tried to run out of the tavern. We don’t have the full details at the moment of what is the motive, and why they were targeting these people.”
At least 15 people were killed and nine others were injured in the shooting. AP“You can see that a high caliber firearm was used and it was shooting randomly. You can see that every one of those people were struggling to get out of the tavern,” Mawela said.
He said the area where the shooting took place was dimly lit — making it difficult to find witnesses who could identify the suspects.
Rifles and a 9 mm pistol were used in the attack, said national police spokeswoman Col. Dimakatso Sello.
Authorities say gunmen began to fire “randomly” into the tavern. APIn a separate incident, four people were shot dead by unknown gunmen at a tavern in Sweetwaters township in the coastal city of Pietermaritzburg on Saturday night.
According to the police, two men entered the tavern and randomly opened fire on the patrons, killing four people. Police said eight other people are receiving treatment for their wounds. The deceased were between the ages of 30 and 45 and cops are investigating charges of murder and attempted murder, police said.
“The team will be working around the clock to track down and bring to book those responsible for this shooting,” said Kwazulu-Natal police commissioner Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The motives for both recent shootings are still unknown as authorities continue to investigate. APThe pair of shootings do not appear to be linked, local police said.
“We do not think the incidents are linked because they took place in different provinces. We are investigating this incident on its own,” said Nqobile Gwala, police spokesperson for KwaZulu-Natal, which includes Pietermaritzburg.
In both shootings, the unknown gunmen fled the scene, according to police, who noted that it was not clear how many were involved in the attacks or their motives.
The bar shootings came two weeks after 21 teenagers were found dead in a tavern in the city of East London. The cause of those deaths has not yet been revealed by authorities, but officials have said the teens were not shot nor crushed in a stampede.
With Post wires
