A deadly shooting at a hostel in Saulsville, west of Pretoria, has left at least 11 people dead, among them a three-year-old, a 12-year-old and a 16-year-old — after gunmen opened fire on a crowd early Saturday morning. Fourteen others were rushed to hospital with injuries.
Police said the attack happened inside an illegal bar operating in the hostel. The venue is reported to sell alcohol without a licence, a pattern seen in several other recent mass shootings in the country.
According to authorities, at least three gunmen entered the packed room shortly after 04:30 and fired without warning. Ten victims died at the scene, while one more died in hospital. The motive remains unknown, and a manhunt has begun.
Officials noted that many mass shootings in South Africa occur at unlicensed drinking spots, where safety oversight is weak and criminal groups often operate freely.
Gun violence has risen sharply across the country. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, more than 5,700 people were killed, with firearms used in nearly half of all murders. Experts point to the widespread circulation of illegal guns, many of them stolen or lost from both civilians and police armouries.
Saturday’s attack follows a similar shooting at a tavern in Olievenhoutbosch earlier this year, where five people were killed. The repeat nature of these attacks has heightened public concern and pressure on authorities to take stronger action.
Police have deployed forensic and ballistics teams and say they are using full resources to track down the suspects. But communities remain anxious, especially with the festive season approaching and fears of more violence linked to illegal firearms and unregulated drinking spots.
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