At least 11 people have been killed and 14 others injured in a mass shooting at a hostel in Saulsville, Atteridgeville, Pretoria, in the early hours of Saturday morning. The attack reportedly took place at a house operating as an informal tavern.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that 10 victims died at the scene, while another succumbed to injuries in hospital. Fourteen others remain hospitalised.
“We are told it happened at around 4:15am, but police were only alerted to it at around 6am,” Mathe said. “We immediately mobilised our resources. We have forensic experts, ballistic experts, detectives and officers from the serious and violent crimes unit all on the ground. They are piecing together what may have led to the shooting.”
Police have opened 11 cases of murder and 14 cases of attempted murder. Preliminary investigations suggest that at least three unidentified gunmen entered the premises and began shooting indiscriminately.
Among the victims are a three-year-old child, a 12-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old girl.
The tragedy adds to a growing list of mass shootings across South Africa, which have surged in recent years. Former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu revealed that more than 9,000 people were killed in mass shootings between 2019 and 2023. The 2023–2024 period alone recorded 2,859 fatalities, up from 2,524 the previous year.
Many of these incidents are linked to turf wars, illegal mining conflicts, and revenge attacks. Drinking spots remain frequent targets, with deadly shootings previously reported in Soweto, Pietermaritzburg, and Mpumalanga.
Police investigations into the Saulsville shooting are ongoing.
