A tragic incident occurred in a township near Pretoria, South Africa, where a mass shooting at an unlicensed bar left 11 individuals, including three children, dead. The South African Police Services reported that 14 others were injured and hospitalized. The ages of the injured were not disclosed.
The shooting took place at a bar located in the Saulsville township, west of Pretoria, during the early hours of Saturday. Reports indicated that the bar was situated within a hostel. Among the victims were a three-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old girl. Authorities are currently searching for three suspects in connection with the incident.
According to Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, a police spokesperson, the gunmen entered the hostel and opened fire on a group of people who were socializing. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and no arrests have been made yet. Mathe highlighted the prevalence of illegal liquor establishments like the one in question, stating that they are a significant contributing factor to such violent incidents.
South Africa has a high homicide rate, with over 26,000 reported homicides in 2024, primarily attributed to firearms. Despite having strict gun ownership laws, many killings are carried out using illegal firearms. The country has witnessed multiple mass shootings in bars, known as shebeens or taverns, in recent years, underscoring the ongoing challenges with gun violence.
In a separate incident last year, 18 people, including 15 women, were killed in mass shootings at two different residences in the Eastern Cape province. A suspect was charged with 18 counts of murder for allegedly using an AK-style assault rifle in the attacks.