What’s behind South Africa’s mass shootings and how they’re often different to lone gunman attacks

This Saturday in South Africa, eight gunmen brandishing AK-47 rifles and pistols unleashed a deadly assault on a neighborhood bar, swiftly moving indoors to continue their carnage. The onslaught resulted in at least 17 fatalities and numerous injuries. This incident marked one of three mass shootings to occur within six days in South Africa.

The other two shootings took place in impoverished townships near Johannesburg and Cape Town, killing a total of 38 individuals and injuring nearly 30. Unlike mass shootings in the United States and other nations, which are often linked to ideological motives or personal grievances, South African mass shootings are primarily driven by criminality. Multiple gunmen are typically involved in these attacks.

In the Johannesburg bar shooting, multiple suspects were responsible, while the other two incidents in Lwandle and KwaMakhutha townships each had their own group of gunmen. Authorities are actively searching for eight suspects linked to the bar attack, as well as looking into the broader criminal landscape that fuels these violent incidents.

South African authorities have identified links between these mass shootings and criminal gangs involved in illegal mining, drug trafficking, and extortion. Many of the attacks are believed to be acts of retribution or efforts to assert control over communities. These mass shootings predominantly occur in impoverished areas with limited police presence and infrastructure, making them particularly vulnerable to violence.

In response to the escalating crisis, President Cyril Ramaphosa deployed soldiers to assist police in combating violent crime, particularly the illegal mining gangs operating in and around Johannesburg. While the soldier deployment has provided additional security for some residents, critics argue that using the military to address gang violence is not an effective long-term solution.