Gun violence persists in South Africa amid widespread circulation of illegal firearms

South Africa continues to grapple with deadly gun violence, with several mass shooting incidents recorded in recent years.

In May, armed attackers opened fire at a tavern in the southeastern city of Durban, killing eight customers. In another major incident last year, 18 members of the same family were shot dead at a rural homestead in the Eastern Cape province.

While many South Africans legally own firearms for personal protection, authorities say the country is awash with illegal weapons, which are believed to fuel the high rate of violent crime.

Security agencies and civil society groups have repeatedly raised concerns over the proliferation of unlicensed firearms, warning that their availability contributes significantly to mass shootings and other violent attacks across the country.