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 hospitalised 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 emphasised 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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