Monday, December 8, 2025 - A mass shooting in an unlicensed bar near the South African capital left at least 12 people d3ad.
The shooting happened at a bar inside a hostel in the
Saulsville township west of the administrative capital of Pretoria in the early
hours of Saturday, December 6, 2025.
The victims included three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
Another 13 people were wounded and being treated in the
hospital.
Police didn’t give details of the ages of those who were
injured or their conditions.
Police adjusted the d3ath toll after they said a 12th victim
died in the hospital.
Ten of the victims d!ed at the scene and two others d!ed at
the hospital, police said.
The children k!lled were a 3-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy
and a 16-year-old girl.
Police said they were searching for three male suspects.
Of the 14 that were wounded eight are members of the
Khanyile family, who also lost three children- a three-year-old boy, a
12-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old girl.
On Sunday, the family shared their deep-seated fears in the
wake of the attack, carried out by unknown gunmen, which left the community
reeling in shock.
Sabelo Khanyile's sister, the owner of the tavern, was shot
three times and is receiving treatment
"Although she sustained injuries, she still responded
very well to the treatment," Sabelo said, adding that he was in the dark
about the motive of the shooting.
He said the three children, who were shot d3ad, were asleep
when the k!llers stormed the drinking establishment.
Another family member Sandile Khanyile said they are still
trying to process the tragedy.
The family, originally from Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal, is
focusing on supporting their loved ones in hospital.
He said the family is not in a position to comment on the
motive, but could talk about their hospitalized family members' conditions.
"If this thing is tough for outsiders like you, imagine
how we're feeling. We're sleeping at my sister's house, but we're scared
someone's watching us and might come after us next,” he said.
Tshwane Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community
Safety, Hannes Coetzee has expressed deep sorrow and extended sincere
condolences to the bereaved families.
“We also wish strength and a full recovery to the fourteen
individuals who were wounded and who are receiving medical care. The city
stands with every affected family and resident during this difficult time,” he
said.
He said the city is outraged by this senseless act of
violence, which resulted in the d3ath of a child as young as three.
“There can be no justification for such brutality. The loss
of a young child in this manner is a stark reminder of the urgent need to
confront violent crime and the conditions that enable it,” Coetzee said.
He added that preliminary information indicates that the
incident took place at an unlicensed liquor establishment.
“Illegal taverns continue to create unsafe conditions in
many communities and are a significant driver of crime and disorder,” he said.
Gauteng Premier Lesufi has described the murders as
heartbreaking and unacceptable acts of criminality that have no place in the
Gauteng Province
“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,” he said.
Lesufi emphasized that illegal liquor outlets often become
magnets for criminal activity and pose serious risks to public safety
“Illegal shebeens must not be allowed to operate as safe
havens for criminals. We strongly condemn the lawlessness that thrives in such
spaces. Working with law enforcement, we will intensify operations targeting
both legal and illegal alcohol establishments to ensure full compliance with
the law,” he said.
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on
Community Safety said the tragic incident highlights a deeply concerning trend
in which illegal guns continue to circulate freely within communities, enabling
deadly attacks that devastate families and compromise the safety of citizens.
“The committee views this event as a serious call for
concern and reaffirms its commitment to intensifying efforts towards advocating
for and achieving a gun-free Gauteng,” said the committee.
SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the
incident occurred just after 4:15 a.m when three unknown gunmen entered the
hostel, where a group of people were drinking, and began shooting randomly.
The police were only alerted around 6am.
"We immediately mobilised our resources, including
forensic and ballistics experts, who were already at the scene. Our detectives
and the Serious and Violent Crime Unit are piecing together information on what
may have led to this shooting.”
She said between April and September this year, police shut
down 11,975 unlicensed liquor outlets nationwide and arrested more than 18,676
people found selling liquor illegally.
“These establishments are often where mass shootings occur,
as arguments escalate into gunfire and innocent people are caught in the
crossfire,” she said.
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