South Africa: 11 Killed, 14 Injured in Pretoria Mass Shooting

Johannesburg — The death toll from Saturday’s mass shooting in Pretoria has risen to **11**, the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed.

The attack occurred early Saturday at **Saulsville Hostel** in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria.

According to SAPS:
“**25 people were shot — 11 confirmed dead and 14 survivors, all hospitalised.** A manhunt has been launched for **three unknown suspects**. Three minors are among the deceased: a 3-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old girl. The rest are adults. The incident happened at an **illegal shebeen** (unlicensed liquor bar).”

Local media reported the shooting happened shortly after **4:15 a.m.**, but police were only alerted around **6 a.m.**

Brigadier **Athlenda Mathe**, national SAPS spokesperson, told Independent Online (IOL) that police immediately deployed forensic and ballistics teams. Detectives and the Serious and Violent Crime Unit are investigating what triggered the attack.

According to Mathe, **at least three gunmen entered the hostel and opened fire randomly**, targeting people who had gathered to drink.

Mathe also highlighted the growing problem of **illegal liquor outlets**, noting that between April and September, SAPS shut down **11,975 unlicensed liquor premises** and arrested **18,676 people** involved in illegal liquor trade.

### **Surge in Gun Violence**

The Pretoria attack comes just weeks after **seven men were killed in Cape Town** in a separate mass shooting in Philippi East. Cape Town and Johannesburg have both witnessed rising gun violence and gang-related killings, prompting warnings from civil groups about an escalating crisis.

In September, following a series of shootings that claimed at least a dozen lives within a week, Cape Town authorities even **shut down several minibus taxi routes for 30 days** to curb violence.

— With inputs from IANS