Eleven people, including three children, killed in shooting at a bar in South Africa

A deadly shooting at an unlicensed bar near Pretoria, South Africa, left at least 11 individuals dead on Saturday, police confirmed. Among the victims were three children: a 3-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old girl. Authorities have not released the ages of the other victims.

Law enforcement officers are actively searching for three male suspects believed to be responsible for the attack. An additional 14 people were injured and transported to nearby hospitals, though police did not provide information on their conditions.

The incident occurred in the Saulsville township at an illegal bar located inside a hostel, in the early hours of Saturday. Ten of the victims died at the scene, while the eleventh succumbed to injuries in the hospital. "At least three unknown gunmen entered the hostel where patrons were drinking and began shooting indiscriminately," said police spokesperson Brig. Athlenda Mathe. The motive behind the attack remains unknown. Authorities were notified around 6 a.m., despite the shooting occurring at approximately 4:15 a.m.

South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates globally, with over 26,000 recorded in 2024 alone, averaging more than 70 deaths per day. Firearms are the leading cause of homicide deaths. Although the nation enforces strict gun ownership laws, many crimes involve illegal firearms.

Mass shootings at bars, locally known as shebeens, have been a recurring issue. Recent years have seen several incidents, including one in Durban that killed eight people and another in Soweto in 2022 with 16 fatalities. In September 2024, 17 people died in two separate incidents in a rural town. Authorities note that illegal bars are a significant concern, with over 11,000 unlicensed establishments closed and more than 18,000 arrests related to illegal alcohol sales from April to September this year.

Violent mass killings in South Africa are not limited to bars. Last year in Eastern Cape province, 18 people were killed, including 15 women, in shootings at two houses along the same road. Seven men were arrested for those attacks, and authorities recovered three AK-style rifles believed to have been used.

Author: Sophia Brooks