South African police say a manhunt is under way after a shooting at a tavern left nine people dead - seven men and two women - and another 10 injured in a township in a gold-mining area near Johannesburg.

They say about 12 unidentified gunmen arrived in two vehicles in Bekkersdal, "opened fire at tavern patrons and continued to shoot randomly as they fled the scene".

The shooting happened at about 01:00 local time on Sunday (23:00 GMT Saturday). The police added that the tavern was licensed.

South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Sixty-three people were killed every day on average between April and September this year, according to police figures.

Murders are often the result of arguments, robberies and gang violence, but a motive for this killing is not clear.

At the scene, deputy provincial police commissioner Maj-Gen Fred Kekana told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that the perpetrators, armed with pistols and one AK-47, were "unprovoked".

"The poor patrons were just enjoying themselves when people came and shot."

Two of the victims were shot outside the tavern as they tired to flee and a third was a taxi driver who had dropped off a passenger nearby, Maj-Gen Kekana added.

Earlier this month, at least 11 people - including a child - were shot dead at a hostel near Pretoria.