At least eleven people were killed and fourteen others injured in a mass shooting at a hostel in Saulsville township, west of Pretoria, early Saturday morning. A three-year-old child is among the victims. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the attack occurred when at least three unidentified gunmen entered the hostel and opened fire on a group of people who were drinking inside. The motive remains unclear, and no arrests have been made. Authorities say the shooting happened at around 02:30 GMT Among the dead are a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl. “I can confirm that a

At least eleven people were killed and fourteen others injured in a mass shooting at a hostel in Saulsville township, west of Pretoria, early Saturday morning. A three-year-old child is among the victims. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the attack occurred when at least three unidentified gunmen entered the hostel and opened fire on a group of people who were drinking inside. The motive remains unclear, and no arrests have been made. Authorities say the shooting happened at around 02:30 GMT Among the dead are a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl. “I can confirm that a total of 25 people were shot,” Mathe said. She described the location as an “illegal shebeen,” noting that unlicensed drinking venues are often linked to violent incidents. “We are facing a serious challenge with these illegal liquor outlets,” she said, warning that innocent bystanders are frequently caught in the crossfire. South Africa continues to struggle with high levels of violent crime. According to 2023–24 data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the country records about 45 murders per 100,000 people one of the highest rates globally. Police statistics show that an average of 63 people were killed each day between April and September.

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