Seventeen people were killed and 15 others wounded after a group of armed men opened fire on patrons at a tavern in Wedela on the West Rand in Gauteng on Saturday night.
The mass shooting happened at about 9.30pm at Dora’s Tavern on Hector Peterson Street in Extension 3, Wedela.
According to police, a group of about eight unidentified men arrived at the tavern and started shooting patrons who were drinking outside before entering the tavern and opening fire on those inside.
The suspects were allegedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols.
Four men and a woman were shot dead outside the tavern, while nine men and three women were killed inside.
Gauteng EMS declared all 17 victims dead at the scene.
Fifteen other victims sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to Carletonville and Leratong hospitals for medical treatment.
Police said the suspects also searched patrons and stole an undisclosed number of cellphones before fleeing in two unidentified vehicles.
Two vehicles were also allegedly set alight during the attack.
Some of the suspects were wearing balaclavas while others had their faces uncovered.
Police found an undisclosed number of rifle cartridges inside and outside the tavern.
A CCTV system is available at the tavern and is expected to assist investigators in identifying the suspects.
Police said some of the deceased were Lesotho nationals, with some victims found in possession of their passports.
The case has been registered at Wedela police station for 17 counts of murder, 15 counts of attempted murder, two counts relating to the burning of vehicles and armed robbery.
The investigation is ongoing.
This is a developing story.
