Nine people were killed and 10 others wounded after gunmen opened fire at a licensed tavern in a township near Johannesburg early Sunday, prompting a large-scale police manhunt.
The shooting occurred just before 1 a.m. local time in Bekkersdal, a township southwest of the city, according to the South African Police Service.
Authorities said about a dozen unidentified suspects arrived in a white minibus and a silver sedan, firing on patrons inside the tavern and continuing to shoot as people fled.
Those injured were taken to medical facilities for treatment, while the motive for the attack remains under investigation.
Police said the suspects opened fire indiscriminately, with some victims shot inside the tavern and others struck outside as they tried to escape.
Among those killed were seven men and two women, according to officials.
A driver who had stopped nearby was also fatally shot, police said.
Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigations, along with specialist units, have been deployed to trace those responsible.
Fred Kekana, the acting provincial police commissioner, said investigators were still collecting statements and processing the crime scene.
Residents who arrived after the shooting described scenes of chaos, with multiple victims lying on the ground as emergency services were called.
Some of the injured were transported to clinics using improvised means before ambulances arrived.
Bekkersdal forms part of the Rand West City municipality and is marked by high unemployment and poverty following the decline of gold mining in the area.
Residents have long raised concerns about persistent gun violence in the township, particularly at night.
Local officials said fear and limited police resources have hindered efforts to curb crime and identify perpetrators.
South Africa continues to face extremely high levels of violent crime, with firearms playing a central role in many killings.
Mass shootings have frequently occurred at taverns and informal drinking venues, underscoring ongoing challenges for law enforcement and community safety.
Authorities said the investigation into the Bekkersdal attack remains active, with no arrests announced.