At least 27 people have been killed and more than 20 others injured in two separate mass shootings in South Africa, according to police.
Gatekeepers News reports that the first attack occurred at about 9:30pm on Saturday in Wedela, in the West Rand district southwest of Johannesburg.
Police said eight gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire on people gathered outside a tavern before entering the premises and continuing the attack.
Seventeen people, including 13 men and four women, were killed, while 15 others sustained gunshot injuries.
The suspects reportedly searched some patrons and took their mobile phones before escaping in two vehicles. Two other vehicles were also set on fire at the scene.
A second shooting occurred about four hours later at an entertainment venue in Lwandle, near Cape Town.
Police said 10 people were killed and 11 others wounded after gunmen entered the venue and opened fire on patrons.
No arrests had been reported in either incident as of Sunday, while specialised police units were deployed to both areas to track down the suspects.
The attacks came five days after another mass shooting near Durban in which 11 people, including a pregnant woman, were killed at a house party.
Police have not confirmed the motives behind the latest shootings. However, authorities have previously linked some mass shootings in South Africa to criminal gangs.
The latest incidents add to concerns over gun violence in the country, where police statistics recorded 5,427 homicides in the three months ending June 30, an average of nearly 60 killings per day.
