Fourteen others wounded as gunmen open fire in Saulsville hostel; manhunt underway for three suspects
A mass shooting at an unlicensed liquor outlet in Saulsville, Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, claimed the lives of eleven people, including three children aged 3, 12, and 16 and left fourteen others wounded in the early hours of Saturday morning, authorities said.
According to National Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, twenty-five people were shot in the attack, which occurred around 4:15 a.m. “Ten died on this particular scene, and one died in hospital. We’ve got 14 victims in hospital,” Mathe told reporters. She confirmed that three of the deceased were minors, the youngest being three years old.
Police have opened eleven counts of murder and fourteen counts of attempted murder and are searching for three armed suspects who reportedly entered the Saulsville Hostel premises, opened fire, and fled. “We are on a manhunt. For now, we are looking for three suspects,” Mathe said.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi condemned the attack as “heartbreaking and unacceptable.” In an official statement, he said: “We are distressed by the loss of innocent lives, including young children, in this senseless act of violence. Our hearts go out to the families who are grieving today. As the Gauteng Provincial Government, we will not allow our communities to live in fear.” Lesufi highlighted the role of illegal liquor outlets, stating: “Illegal shebeens must not be allowed to operate as safe havens for criminals.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng described the shooting as a “gruesome act of violence, whose motive remains unknown.” The party expressed outrage at the killing of minors and linked the incident to broader crime trends, citing 1,443 murders recorded in Gauteng out of 5,794 nationwide in recent statistics.
The City of Tshwane also issued condolences. Alderman Hannes Coetzee, MMC for Community Safety, said the municipality was “outraged by this senseless act of violence, which resulted in the death of a child as young as three years old.” He noted that “illegal taverns continue to create unsafe conditions in many communities and are a significant driver of crime and disorder.”
Police spokesperson Mathe emphasised the recurring problem of violence at illegal drinking establishments.
These illegal shebeens are really giving us a problem as the police because a lot of murders are being reported at these illegal establishments.
She revealed that between April and September 2025, authorities shut down 11,975 illegal shebeens nationwide.
Investigations continue with a multidisciplinary team, including forensic and ballistics experts, deployed to the scene. Authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward to assist in apprehending the suspects.