At least 11 people – including a three-year-old child – were killed in a mass shooting at a hostel in South Africa. Fourteen others were wounded after three gunmen opened fire on patrons at a venue in Saulsville township, located west of Pretoria, early on Saturday.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the gunmen began firing randomly at a group who were drinking. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and no arrests have been made as of yet. This shooting marks yet another tragic incident in a series of mass shootings that have plagued South Africa in recent years.
The gunmen reportedly entered the location around 04:30 AM local time and unleashed gunfire on a group of men who were socializing. The casualties included a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, as confirmed by Mathe.
I can confirm that a total of 25 people were shot, she stated. Mathe described the hostel as an illegal shebeen, emphasizing the challenges posed by unlicensed liquor outlets where many of these violent incidents occur. Innocent people also get caught up in the crossfire, she warned during a broadcast.
This year, a significant crackdown resulted in the closure of 12,000 illegal liquor establishments and the arrest of over 18,000 individuals throughout South Africa.
Statistic data reveal that South Africa has one of the world's highest murder rates, standing at 45 per 100,000 residents according to the latest United Nations reports. Reports indicate that approximately 63 individuals are murdered daily, illustrating the need for urgent intervention regarding public safety.
