RAMAPHOSA VOWS ACTION AFTER WEDela TAVERN MASSACRE: “WE CANNOT GO ON LIKE THIS”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reacted strongly to the deadly Wedela tavern shooting, saying the massacre that left 17 people dead and 15 others wounded is another stark reminder of the serious levels of violent crime facing South Africa.
The attack happened at Dora’s Tavern in Extension 3, Wedela, near Carletonville, on Saturday night.
Police say about eight armed men, reportedly carrying AK-47 rifles and pistols, opened fire on patrons inside and outside the tavern.
The suspects allegedly searched some victims and took cellphones before fleeing in two vehicles. Two vehicles were also reportedly set alight.
NOW POLICE ARE USING TECHNOLOGY TO TRACK THE SUSPECTS.
Ramaphosa says technology has already helped police obtain and identify images of the eight suspected gunmen, giving investigators important leads as the manhunt continues.
He said the information could assist police in tracking down and apprehending those responsible for the deadly attack.
“We cannot be a country where people just pick up guns and start shooting randomly and making the people of South Africa unsafe.”
The president has instructed law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to bring down violent crime, saying security forces will continue “pulling out all stops” to deal with criminality and violence.
THE WIDER CRIME CRISIS
The Wedela massacre came during a particularly violent weekend.
Hours later, 10 people were killed and 11 wounded in a separate shooting in Lwandle, Cape Town, bringing the combined death toll from the two attacks to 27 people.
Police say the incidents are separate, and investigations into their motives are continuing.
In Wedela, Gauteng police commissioner General Tommy Mthombeni said one line of investigation is whether the shooting could be linked to a conflict involving illegal mining, although the motive has not been established.
MANHUNT UNDERWAY
Police have launched a major investigation, with specialised units processing the crime scene and searching for those responsible. Anyone with information that could help identify or locate the suspects is being urged to come forward.
