By Charles Pemu 
South African police are investigating a devastating mass shooting that occurred at a hostel in Saulsville, approximately 18 kilometers west of Pretoria, on Saturday. The attack resulted in the deaths of 11 people, including a three-year-old child, and left 14 others wounded. The horrific incident is the latest in a series of mass shootings that have underscored the persistent violence crisis facing the nation of 63 million.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed the casualty figures, stating that a total of 25 people were shot during the attack. Ten victims died immediately at the scene, while an eleventh succumbed to their injuries after being transported to the hospital. Tragically, the deceased include minors aged three, twelve, and sixteen. Mathe described the incident as “quite an unfortunate incident,” noting that authorities were alerted to the crime around 6:00 am.
According to preliminary police reports, three gunmen stormed the premises at approximately 4:30 am (0230 GMT) and opened fire indiscriminately on a group of men who were socializing and drinking at the hostel. The motive behind the brutal attack remains unknown, and as of the latest update, no arrests have been made. Mathe assured the public that maximum resources have been deployed, stating, “We are still investigating the motive, but… maximum resources have been deployed to arrest those that are behind this incident.”
South Africa, the continent’s most industrialized economy, continues to struggle with entrenched crime, including organized corruption and high levels of lethal violence. While licensed firearm ownership is common for personal protection, the prevalence of illegal weapons fuels much of the country’s violence. Police data from the period between April and September indicate an alarming national average of 63 people killed daily, highlighting the scale of the ongoing security challenge that authorities are scrambling to address.