Online Reporter
JOHANNESBURG – The South African government has condemned a spate of mass shootings across the country, saying law enforcement agencies have intensified their presence on the ground and assembled specialised investigative teams to track down those responsible.
The government described the shootings as “senseless acts of violence” and said police were pursuing all available leads as authorities moved to strengthen their response.
“Government strongly condemns the ongoing spate of mass shootings that the country has recently witnessed. Such lawlessness has no place and will not be tolerated in our democratic society,” the government said.
Weekend shootings leave dozens dead
The government’s condemnation comes after several deadly shootings over the weekend, including a massacre at a tavern in Wedela on Gauteng’s West Rand on Saturday night.
The death toll from the Wedela attack has since risen to 18 after one of the wounded victims died in hospital on Monday. Police said gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire on patrons inside and outside the tavern. Investigators are searching for eight suspects.
Hours later, 10 people were killed and 11 others wounded in another mass shooting at an entertainment venue in Lwandle, Cape Town.
The government said police had reinforced deployments in affected areas as investigations into the shootings continued.
“Law enforcement agencies are pursuing every available lead to ensure that those responsible for these senseless acts of violence are brought to justice,” it said.
“Additionally, the law enforcement agencies have reinforced its presence on the ground and assembled specialised investigative teams to hunt down the suspects.”
Government calls for united response to crime
Authorities also appealed to community leaders, civil society organisations, local government and residents to cooperate with police in tackling violent crime.
“Members of the public should refrain from confronting suspects or taking the law into their own hands and are encouraged to report any information to law enforcement agencies,” the statement said.
Anyone with information that could assist ongoing investigations has been urged to contact the South African Police Service on 08600 10111 or submit information through the MySAPS App.
“All information received will be handled in strict confidence,” the government said.
Meanwhile, a Gauteng father accused of sexually assaulting his four-year-old twin daughters has failed in his urgent bid to force police to finalise their investigation, saying the ongoing probe has effectively suspended his parental rights and prevented him from having normal contact with his children.
Acting Judge D van den Bogert dismissed the man’s application, finding that there was no evidence that the police had refused to investigate the allegations or deliberately delayed the investigation.
The father, who represented himself, approached the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria seeking an order compelling the Minister of Police to finalise the investigation into the alleged sexual assault within seven days and provide him with written confirmation of its outcome.
He also wanted the court to order that the primary residence, contact and care of his twin daughters be restored to him if the investigation was not completed within that period, or if the completed investigation showed that he should not be prosecuted.
Father says investigation has cut off contact with children
The children, whose names have been withheld to protect them, were born in September 2022.
According to the judgment, the father and their mother began a romantic relationship in April 2020. The relationship ended in February 2025, although they attempted to reconcile until July that year.
The father left the shared home with the children in August 2025.
The dispute later escalated, with the mother approaching police and a criminal docket initially being opened against the father in connection with allegations that he had kidnapped his own children. He was arrested on the kidnapping allegation in August last year.
However, after examining the docket, a prosecutor concluded that he could not have kidnapped his own children and that no crime had been committed. He was released without appearing in court. – IOL
