Johannesburg: At least 27 people were killed and 26 others wounded in two separate mass shootings at entertainment venues in South Africa, police said on Sunday.

In the first incident, eight gunmen armed with assault rifles opened fire at a bar west of Johannesburg on Saturday evening, killing 17 people and injuring 15 others.

The attack took place at around 7.30 pm GMT on Saturday, police said.

"They allegedly searched some patrons and took their cellphones before fleeing the scene in two unidentified motor vehicles," police said.

The victims included 13 men and four women, according to the police.

The motive for the shooting remains unknown. Police said the suspects set two vehicles on fire before fleeing the scene.

"Police have mobilised a team of detectives and other specialised units to trace and apprehend the suspects," they said.

In a separate incident, gunmen killed 10 people and wounded 11 others at an entertainment venue in a township outside Cape Town early on Sunday.

South Africa has widespread access to both legal and illegal firearms, and shootings are common in the country, often linked to gang rivalries and competition between informal businesses.

The country, with a population of around 62 million, has one of the world's highest murder rates, with approximately 60 people killed every day.

In March, soldiers were deployed to crime hotspots in Johannesburg to support police efforts to tackle widespread violence.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described crime as one of the biggest threats facing the country.