South African authorities are investigating a horrific mass shooting that claimed the lives of at least twelve people, including three young children, in the early hours of Saturday, December 6, 2025. The attack occurred at an unlicensed bar located inside a hostel in the Saulsville township, west of the administrative capital, Pretoria.
Details of the Attack
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the violence erupted around 4:15 a.m. when at least three unidentified gunmen entered the hostel where a group was drinking and opened fire randomly. The assailants fled the scene, and police were only alerted nearly two hours later, at 6 a.m. The motive for the brutal killings remains unclear.
The victims who lost their lives at the scene numbered ten, with two more succumbing to their injuries after being transported to a hospital. Among the dead are a 3-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old girl. In addition to the fatalities, another thirteen people were wounded and are currently receiving hospital treatment. Police have not released details on the conditions or ages of the injured.
A Persistent National Crisis
This tragedy underscores South Africa's severe and ongoing struggle with gun violence. The nation of 62 million has one of the highest homicide rates globally, recording more than 26,000 murders in 2024 alone—an average exceeding 70 per day. Firearms are the leading weapon used in these killings.
While the country maintains relatively strict gun ownership laws, authorities note that many homicides are committed with illegal weapons. Mass shootings at bars, often called shebeens or taverns, have become a recurring nightmare. In 2022, a similar attack in Soweto, Johannesburg, left 16 people dead.
Brigadier Mathe highlighted that violence at unlicensed bars is a serious and growing problem. Between April and September of this year, police shut down over 11,000 illegal taverns and arrested more than 18,000 individuals for involvement in illicit liquor sales.
A Pattern of Violence Beyond Bars
The scourge of mass shootings in South Africa is not confined to drinking establishments. Police cited an incident from September of last year in the Eastern Cape province, where 18 people were killed in coordinated shootings at two houses just minutes apart. In that case, seven men were arrested and face multiple murder charges.
As the community near Pretoria mourns, police are actively searching for three male suspects connected to Saturday's massacre. The investigation continues as the nation confronts another devastating episode in its persistent battle against violent crime.
