27 killed in two separate mass shootings in South Africa

Seventeen people were shot and killed at a tavern in Wedela, in the West Rand District of Gauteng province, on Saturday night, police said. The victims included 13 men and four women.

Fifteen others sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to medical facilities for treatment, police said.

‘‘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,’’ police said in a statement.

The suspects were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and shotguns. They also searched some patrons and took their cellphones before fleeing the scene in two unidentified vehicles, police said.

Two vehicles parked near the tavern were also set alight.

Police have launched a manhunt for eight unidentified armed men suspected of involvement in the shooting.

The motive remains unknown, while detectives and other specialized units have been deployed to identify and apprehend the suspects, authorities said.

In a separate incident, 10 people were shot and killed in Lwandle in the Western Cape province early Sunday when gunmen entered an entertainment venue and opened fire on patrons, police said.

Five people died at the scene, while five others succumbed to their injuries after being taken to medical facilities. Eleven others were receiving medical treatment for their injuries, police said.

Mass shootings have become increasingly frequent in South Africa, where an average of about 58 people are murdered each day, according to national crime statistics.

Last week, gunmen killed 11 people, including a pregnant woman, and wounded three others during a late-night shooting at a home in the southern part of Durban.