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South Africa police launch manhunt after 17 killed in tavern shooting

By Thomson Reuters Sep 27, 2026 | 12:49 AM

Sept 27 (Reuters) – 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 4 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.

“Suspects were reportedly armed ​with AK-47 rifles and pistols,” ​the statement said of the ‌shooting, which occurred around 9:30 p.m. (1930 GMT) on Saturday in Gauteng province.

Fifteen other victims ⁠with gunshot wounds were transported to medical facilities, the police said.

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.

(Reporting by Shivani Tanna in Bengaluru; Editing by ​William Mallard)