Pretoria, South Africa – At least 12 people, including three minors, were killed in a shocking mass shooting at an illegal bar in Saulsville township, near Pretoria, police confirmed on Saturday. A total of 25 individuals were shot, with 14 taken to hospitals for urgent medical care.

The victims included a three-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old girl, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the attack.

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Details of the Shooting Incident

According to Athlenda Mathe, spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS), the attack occurred at approximately 4:30am local time at an “illegal shebeen” — a type of unlicensed bar — within a hostel.

“Three gunmen opened fire indiscriminately at a group of men who were drinking,” Mathe stated.

Police were not alerted until around 6:00am, two hours after the shooting. Authorities have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators, though the motive remains unknown at this time.

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Pattern of Violence in South Africa

South Africa, Africa’s most industrialized nation, has been grappling with high levels of organized crime, gang violence, and corruption. The country consistently records one of the highest murder rates globally, with police data indicating an average of 63 people killed daily between April and September 2025.

“We are having a serious challenge when it comes to these illegal and unlicensed liquor premises. Most mass shootings occur at these locations,” Mathe said.

Previous mass shootings have underscored the ongoing threat of gang-related violence:

• In October 2025, two teenagers were killed and five injured in a gang shooting in Johannesburg.
• In May 2025, eight customers were killed at a tavern in Durban.
• In 2024, 18 relatives were shot dead at a rural homestead in the Eastern Cape.

The proliferation of both licensed and illegal firearms exacerbates the risk of mass shootings in the country.

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Government Response and Public Safety Concerns

Authorities have stressed the urgent need to regulate illegal liquor establishments, which are frequently linked to mass shootings. Public broadcaster SABC reported Mathe’s warning:

“Innocent people also get caught up in the crossfire. These premises pose a serious threat to community safety.”

With gun violence and organized crime deeply entrenched, South Africa continues to face one of its most pressing public safety challenges.

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Looking Ahead

Police continue to pursue the attackers, and investigations are ongoing to determine the motive and possible gang affiliations. The tragic deaths, particularly of children, have renewed calls for stricter firearm regulations and law enforcement measures against illegal bars and hostels.

This latest incident is a grim reminder of South Africa’s struggle with violent crime and the urgent need for policy and community interventions to prevent similar tragedies.