At least 27 killed in separate tavern shootings in South Africa's Gauteng and Western Cape provinces

At least 27 people have been killed in separate shooting incidents in South Africa's Gauteng and Western Cape provinces overnight.

In the first incident, gunmen armed with assault rifles killed 17 people and wounded 15 others at a bar in Wedela township, west of Johannesburg, police said on Sunday.

Manhunt underway for 8 suspects

Gauteng police said they have launched a manhunt for eight unidentified armed men following deadly shooting.

"They allegedly searched some patrons and took their cellphones before fleeing the scene in two unidentified motor vehicles," the South African ​Police Service ‌said.

Emergency ‌services ‌declared all ​17 victims dead at the scene. Authorities said the shooting occurred Saturday at around 9:30 p.m. local time (1930 UTC).

A motive for the shooting ⁠was ​not ​known, the South African ​Police Service ‌said, adding that "suspects ​were reportedly ⁠armed with AK-47 rifles ⁠and ​pistols."

10 killed in Lwandle tavern shooting, Cape Town

In a separate shooting in the Western Cape, police said gunmen killed 10 people and wounded 11 more at an entertainment venue in Lwandle township at 1:46 a.m. (2346 Saturday GMT).

Authorities said five of the victims died at the scene while another five succumbed to their injuries after being taken to hospital.

This article will be updated as more details become available.