Johannesburg/Cape Town — South Africa is facing renewed scrutiny over violent crime after two separate shootings killed 27 people within hours, with police searching for suspects and investigating possible links to organised criminal activity.

Seventeen people were killed and 15 wounded at a tavern in Wedela, about 80 km southwest of Johannesburg, late on Saturday. Hours later, another 10 people were killed and 11 injured when gunmen opened fire at a venue in Lwandle, on the outskirts of Cape Town.

The shootings came only days after another attack near Durban in which 11 people were killed at a house party, adding to concerns over the scale of gun violence in the country.

Wedela shooting linked to possible illegal-mining turf war

Police said eight suspects armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire at the Wedela tavern. Gauteng police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni said investigators were examining whether the attack was connected to a turf war involving illegal mining gangs.

The same tavern was reportedly the scene of another shooting about a month earlier, raising the possibility that Saturday's attack could have been retaliation, police said.

Witness Siyabonga Vokwana told Reuters that eight people wearing balaclavas and jackets associated with Lesotho entered the tavern and first checked who was inside before opening fire.

Residents have previously raised concerns about illegal miners, known locally as zama zamas, and criminal networks involved in the illicit gold-mining trade in the area.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said police had obtained images of suspects in the Wedela attack and were working to identify and apprehend them.

Lwandle attack interrupts late-night gathering

In Lwandle, near Cape Town, gunmen opened fire at a venue where people were drinking and socialising at around 2 a.m. on Sunday, killing 10 people and injuring 11.

Witness Kamvalethu Galada told Reuters that she initially thought the sound of gunfire was fireworks. She said people eventually dropped to the ground as the shooting continued, before attempting to escape.

Police were investigating whether a business rivalry could have contributed to the attack, amid reports that some customers were purchasing alcohol elsewhere at lower prices before coming to the venue. No arrests had been reported in either shooting at the time of the Reuters report.

Crime puts pressure on South Africa

The shootings have renewed attention on South Africa's persistent violent-crime problem. Police and government authorities have faced pressure to disrupt organised criminal networks and reduce the availability and use of illegal firearms.

The latest attacks also come at a politically sensitive time, with crime expected to feature prominently in debate ahead of South Africa's municipal elections in November.

Ramaphosa said the level of criminality had to be reduced and that security forces would continue efforts to tackle violent crime.

Source: Reuters
Reporting: Xolani Nhlapo, Esa Alexander, Siyabonga Sishi, Nellie Peyton, Thando Hlophe, Thuli Tshabalala and Shivani Tanna
Writing: Nellie Peyton and Alexander Winning
Editing: Elaine Hardcastle, David Holmes, Alexander Smith and Christina Fincher