A tragic shooting at a hostel in Pretoria, South Africa, has claimed the lives of 11 people, including a three-year-old child, police confirmed on Saturday, December 6, 2025. The attack occurred at an unlicensed alcohol-selling establishment in Saulsville township, about 18 kilometers west of Pretoria.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said 25 people were shot, with 14 taken to hospital. Ten victims died at the scene, while one later died in hospital. Among the dead were a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl. The motive for the attack remains unknown, and police have launched a manhunt for the three gunmen involved.
Authorities warned that illegal drinking spots like this hostel are high-risk areas where violent incidents often occur. “Innocent people also get caught up in the crossfire,” Mathe said.
South Africa faces one of the highest murder rates in the world, with entrenched crime, gang violence, and illegal firearms contributing to frequent mass shootings. Police data indicate that between April and September 2025, an average of 63 people were killed daily, often due to arguments, robberies, or gang-related conflicts.
Recent similar incidents include shootings in Johannesburg and Durban, as well as a massacre of 18 relatives in the Eastern Cape last year.
The police urged the public to report illegal liquor outlets and warned that measures would be taken to curb violent crime linked to unlicensed establishments.
