Armed attackers kill at least 17 in South African bar

Armed attackers opened fire at a bar in Wedela settlement west of Johannesburg, South Africa, killing at least 17 people and injuring 15 others.

The South African police said in a post on X that the incident occurred at around 9:30 p.m. local time on September 26, Caliber.Az reports.

According to law enforcement authorities, around eight attackers initially opened fire on patrons outside the bar before entering the premises. They were armed with AK-47 assault rifles and pistols.

“They allegedly searched some patrons and took their cellphones before fleeing the scene in two unidentified motor vehicles. Two vehicles were also set alight during the incident,” police noted.

#sapsGP [GAUTENG POLICE LAUNCH MANHUNT AFTER 17 PEOPLE KILLED IN WEDELA TAVERN SHOOTING]

Gauteng police have launched a manhunt for eight unidentified armed men following a deadly shooting at a tavern in Extension 3, Wedela, West Rand District, on Saturday, 26 September 2026, at… pic.twitter.com/2G4jNsYcU6

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 27, 2026

The motive for the attack has not yet been established. The assailants fled the scene in vehicles after the attack.

Police are searching for the attackers, whose identities have not yet been established. The injured were taken to hospital.

Bakhtiyar Abbasov