A shocking act of violence rocked Pretoria, South Africa’s capital, on Saturday as gunmen stormed a hostel in Saulsville township, leaving twelve people dead, including a three-year-old child. Authorities reported that the attack took place at an illegal shebeen — an unlicensed drinking spot — in the early hours of the morning, highlighting ongoing challenges the country faces with crime and unregulated alcohol outlets.
Police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe confirmed that a total of 25 people were shot during the attack. Ten victims died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries in hospital. Later on Saturday afternoon, a twelfth person, who had been critically wounded, also passed away. Among the victims were a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, intensifying the sense of tragedy and raising urgent questions about community safety.
According to police, three gunmen entered the hostel around 4:30 am and opened fire indiscriminately on those inside. Authorities were only alerted to the incident around 6:00 am, delaying initial emergency response efforts. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and a manhunt is underway to apprehend the perpetrators.
Mathe highlighted the dangers posed by illegal and unlicensed liquor outlets, noting that these locations are frequently linked to violent incidents. “We are having a serious challenge when it comes to these illegal and unlicensed liquor premises. Innocent people also get caught up in the crossfire,” she told the public broadcaster SABC.
South Africa, the continent’s most industrialised nation, continues to grapple with entrenched crime and corruption, often driven by organised networks. Shootings and gang-related violence are common, with alcohol frequently playing a role in escalating conflicts. Despite strict firearm regulations, the prevalence of illegal guns contributes to the country’s high murder rate.
Police statistics indicate that from April to September, an average of 63 people were killed daily in South Africa — one of the highest rates in the world. Most deaths arise from disputes, with gang activity and robberies also contributing significantly to the fatality figures.
Recent years have seen multiple mass shootings across the country. In October, two teenagers were killed and five others wounded in a gang-related attack in Johannesburg. Earlier in May, eight people lost their lives at a tavern in Durban, while last year, 18 relatives were fatally shot at a rural homestead in the Eastern Cape Province.
As the country mourns yet another violent tragedy, authorities face mounting pressure to address the cycle of illegal alcohol trading, gang violence, and rampant firearm proliferation, all of which continue to claim innocent lives across South Africa.