South Africa Gun Attack Kills 12 Including Child

A mass shooting in South Africa has left at least 12 people dead, including three children. The incident occurred at an unlicensed bar in Saulsville township, near Pretoria.

The Shooting Incident

According to police, 25 people were shot at the bar in the early hours of Saturday. The shooting took place at approximately 4:30am (02:30 GMT) within a hostel, 18km (11 miles) west of Pretoria. Three gunmen opened fire on a group of men who were drinking. Fourteen people were taken to hospital for treatment.

Victims

Among the deceased were three minors: a three-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old girl. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe described the location as an “illegal shebeen,” a term for an unlicensed bar.

Police Response and Investigation

Police were not notified of the incident until approximately 6am (04:00 GMT). A manhunt has been launched to apprehend the suspects, and the motive for the shooting remains unknown.

South Africa’s Crime Situation

South Africa, the continent’s most industrialized nation, faces significant challenges related to crime and corruption. The country has a high murder rate, with police data indicating that approximately 63 people are killed each day between April and September.

Unlicensed Liquor Premises

Police have identified illegal and unlicensed liquor premises as a contributing factor to mass shootings. Mathe stated that these locations often become the sites of such incidents, and that innocent bystanders frequently become victims of the crossfire.

Recent Violence

In October, two teenagers were killed and five wounded in a gang-related shooting in Johannesburg. In May, eight customers were killed at a tavern in Durban. Last year, 18 relatives were shot dead at a rural homestead in the Eastern Cape province.

Firearms in South Africa

While many South Africans own licensed firearms for personal protection, there is a significant number of illegal firearms in circulation within the country.