A total of 32 gunned down in two days: Where are the AK-47s coming from?
South Africa experienced a weekend of extreme violence with 32 people killed in three separate mass shootings, renewing concerns about gun violence and illegal firearms. Experts link the surge in killings to organized crime, including illegal gold mining, extortion, and gang activity, with perpetrators often acting with impunity.
Why it matters
This article highlights a severe public safety crisis in South Africa, driven by widespread illegal firearms and organized crime, posing a significant threat to civilian lives and national stability. It underscores the urgent need for effective law enforcement and crime prevention strategies.
JOHANNESBURG - The last weekend of September 2026 has been marred by bloodshed, with 32 people killed in three separate shootings.
This has once again renewed concerns over the growing gun violence in South Africa and access to illegal firearms, which are used in these incidents.
Julian Rademeyer from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GITOC) said the ongoing trend in mass killings observed in the country is closely linked to organised crime.
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This, he said, includes illegal gold mining, extortion, gangs, drug trade, as well as taxi violence.
Adding to that, Rademeyer said, are killers who walk around knowing there are no consequences for their heinous crimes.
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