The death toll from a mass shooting at a tavern in Wedela, South Africa’s West Rand, has risen to 18 after an injured victim died in hospital, police said on Monday, September 28, 2026.
Eight armed men reportedly stormed the tavern at about 9:30pm on Saturday, September 26, opening fire on patrons outside before shooting inside the premises.
Police said 17 people, including 13 men and four women, were initially killed, while 15 others were wounded. By Monday, four of the deceased had been identified, including two South Africans and two nationals of neighbouring Lesotho.
The gunmen allegedly robbed patrons of their mobile phones before fleeing in two vehicles, which were later set ablaze.
Gauteng police have deployed a multidisciplinary team to investigate the killings and track the suspects. The case includes 18 counts of murder, 18 counts of attempted murder, two counts of malicious damage to property and armed robbery.
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No arrests had been made by Monday. Police said the motive remained unclear but were examining possible links to robbery and rival groups involved in illegal gold mining.
The shooting was one of two deadly attacks recorded in South Africa over the weekend. In Lwandle, near Cape Town, 10 people were killed and 11 injured after gunmen opened fire at an entertainment venue in the early hours of Sunday, September 27.
The combined death toll from the two attacks stands at 28.
The Wedela tavern was reportedly the scene of another shooting about two months earlier that left two people dead. Police are investigating whether the incidents are connected.
South Africa has recorded several mass shootings at drinking establishments in recent years. In July 2022, 14 people were killed and nine wounded when gunmen opened fire at a tavern in Nomzamo Informal Settlement, Orlando East.
Police investigations into the latest attacks are ongoing.