A mass shooting at an unlicensed bar in the Saulsville township near Pretoria has resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 12 individuals, including three children, according to the South African Police Services. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, March 2, 2024, and has left another 13 people injured, prompting a swift investigation by local authorities.
The victims included a three-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old girl. Ten of the deceased were found at the scene, while two later succumbed to their injuries at a hospital. Police confirmed that they are searching for three male suspects who reportedly entered the bar and opened fire on a group of patrons.
“We are told that at least three unknown gunmen entered this hostel where a group of people were drinking and they started randomly shooting,”
stated Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, a police spokeswoman, during an interview with broadcaster SABC. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and police were only alerted to the incident approximately two hours after it occurred.
The shooting took place around 04:15, highlighting the ongoing issue of gun violence in South Africa. The nation has one of the highest homicide rates globally, with more than 26,000 homicides reported in 2023, averaging over 70 deaths per day. Firearms are the leading cause of these fatalities, despite relatively strict gun ownership laws. Officials indicate that many violent crimes are committed with illegal weapons.
Authorities have expressed growing concern regarding mass shootings at unlicensed venues, often referred to as shebeens or taverns, which have become increasingly common. In 2022, a similar incident in the Johannesburg township of Soweto resulted in the deaths of 16 people. On the same day as the Saulsville shooting, another mass shooting claimed four lives at a bar in a different province.
In response to the rising violence, police have intensified efforts to combat illegal liquor sales. Between April and September 2023, they shut down over 11,000 illegal taverns and arrested more than 18,000 people involved in the illegal liquor trade.
The tragic events in Saulsville have once again drawn attention to the urgent need for effective measures to address gun violence and illegal establishments in South Africa. As investigations into this shocking incident continue, the community mourns the loss of innocent lives and hopes for justice and safety in the future.
