Pretoria: The death toll from Saturday’s horrific shooting in Pretoria has climbed to 11, casting a deep shadow over the Saulsville Hostel in Atteridgeville, where terror unfolded in the early hours of dawn. The incident, which has shocked South Africa, left 25 people shot — 11 dead and 14 grievously injured — after unidentified gunmen opened fire inside an illegal shebeen.
Children among the victims
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the victims included three children — boys aged 3 and 12, and a 16-year-old girl. Their deaths have intensified the nation’s grief and fuelled public outrage over unregulated drinking dens and escalating gun violence. Officials said the shooting took place shortly after 4:15 am, when a small crowd had gathered inside the illicit tavern.
Local reports indicate that authorities were not alerted until nearly two hours later, a delay that has raised troubling questions about safety and community response. When officers arrived, they immediately cordoned off the area, calling in forensic and ballistics specialists. A large-scale manhunt is now underway for the three unidentified gunmen who stormed the venue and opened fire without warning.
Illegal liquor outlets under scrutiny
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said detectives and the Serious and Violent Crime Unit are now “piecing together” the fragments of a night soaked in chaos. She also highlighted the ongoing dangers posed by unlicensed liquor outlets, stating that between April and September alone, South African authorities closed 11,975 illegal liquor venues and arrested more than 18,600 individuals linked to unlawful alcohol sales.
The presence of such establishments in vulnerable communities continues to spark concern, as they often operate without security measures and become hotspots for violent crime. Officials have reiterated that a crackdown on these illegal businesses will remain a priority.
A region grappling with violence
The weekend massacre comes barely a month after another brutal mass shooting in Cape Town’s Philippi East, where seven men were killed along Road R53 — an area notorious for gang violence. Civil society groups warn that the Western Cape, in particular, is edging dangerously close to a full-blown public safety crisis.
In September, after a series of shootings claimed over a dozen lives in just one week, Cape Town authorities were forced to shut several minibus taxi routes for 30 days. The extraordinary measure underscored the scale of violence gripping the region and the urgency for systemic intervention.
Community fears deepen
Residents in Atteridgeville have expressed fear and shock, with many describing the attack as one of the worst the community has witnessed in years. Local leaders have called for stronger policing, faster emergency response mechanisms, and stricter regulation of liquor establishments.
Authorities, meanwhile, have appealed to the public for information that could help identify and apprehend the perpetrators. Police maintain that no motive has yet been established, but investigations are ongoing.
Conclusion
As the nation reels from yet another devastating act of violence, the Pretoria mass shooting has reignited debate on illegal liquor outlets, policing gaps, and persistent gun crime. With 14 victims still fighting for their lives, the tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to protect vulnerable communities and restore safety in regions long plagued by violence.