Mass Shooting in South Africa Claims 11 Lives, Including a Toddler

At least 11 people, including a three-year-old child, were killed in a shooting at a hostel in Saulsville township, west of Pretoria, South Africa, in the early hours of Saturday. Fourteen others were injured in what authorities describe as part of a disturbing trend of mass shootings across the country.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the attack occurred around 04:30 local time (02:30 GMT) when multiple gunmen stormed the premises, reportedly an illegal drinking venue. “At least three unknown gunmen entered this hostel where a group of people were drinking, and they started randomly shooting,” she confirmed. Among the victims were a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl.

The motive for the attack remains unclear, and no arrests have been made. Investigators are combing the scene while police intensify efforts to track the perpetrators. Mathe highlighted the challenge posed by illegal and unlicensed drinking venues, which she said are often linked to violent crime and mass shootings.

South Africa continues to face high levels of violent crime, with UN data for 2023–24 placing the country’s murder rate at 45 per 100,000 people, among the highest globally. Police statistics indicate an average of 63 people killed daily between April and September this year. The latest shooting has reignited concerns over gun violence, criminality, and the proliferation of illegal firearms in the country.