On Saturday, a tragic shooting at a bar in Johannesburg resulted in the deaths of at least 17 individuals, which raises serious concerns despite South Africa’s stringent gun control laws.
The attack involved a group of at least eight armed men who used handguns and AK-47s. It occurred in the Wedela township, located in the West Rand District, as reported by CNN. Even with a strict gun-control law enacted in 2000, South Africa’s murder rate remains alarmingly high, with 44 homicides per 100,000 people reported in 2022 by the World Bank.
Witnesses claim that patrons were enjoying drinks both inside and outside the tavern when the attackers opened fire on those outside, subsequently storming the tavern to shoot at those inside, as detailed by the South African police in a post on X.
#sapsGP [GAUTENG POLICE LAUNCH MANHUNT AFTER 17 PEOPLE KILLED IN WEDELA TAVERN SHOOTING]
Gauteng police have launched a manhunt for eight unidentified armed men following a deadly shooting at a tavern in Extension 3, Wedela, West Rand District, on Saturday, 26 September 2026, at… pic.twitter.com/2G4jNsYcU6
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 27, 2026
In South Africa, aspiring gun owners must first secure a “competency certificate” specific to the type of firearm before they can apply for a license. This process includes a written test and firearms training, which can be somewhat cumbersome as applicants must navigate an 11-page form and, ultimately, the decision lies with the police.
Once the competency certificate is obtained, the applicants can proceed to apply for a firearms license, which requires a fee of 175 rand (around $10.64), along with a 12-page form to detail existing firearms and intentions behind acquiring a new one, alongside fingerprints and security measures for the firearms.
It’s worth noting that places like Colorado and Washington have also instituted permit-to-purchase regulations that include requisite training. Moreover, the Virgin Islands have been involved in legal disputes regarding their licensing law, which mandated home inspections.
In addition to the Wedela incident, another mass shooting took place in Cape Town, resulting in ten fatalities, according to CNN.
