An early morning shooting at a hostel tavern in Pretoria has left at least 11 people dead, including three children, after multiple gunmen opened fire on patrons inside a crowded bar on Saturday.
The attack took place at 4.15 a.m. and occurred inside a bar at a hostel in Saulsville, a township west of Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital. Emergency responders arriving at the scene discovered numerous victims with gunshot wounds. Authorities later confirmed that 11 people had died, revising an earlier provisional toll of 12.
Among the deceased were three children and a young adult. The youngest victim was just 3 years old. Several others suffered serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals, where some remain in critical condition.
The South African Police Service confirmed that multiple attackers were involved and fled immediately after the shooting. No arrests had been made by Saturday evening, and a large-scale manhunt is underway.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe visited the crime scene on Saturday morning to assess the situation and receive briefings from investigators. Described the incident as a “massacre” and said initial intelligence points to the attack being a targeted hit rather than random violence.
While a definitive motive has not yet been established, police investigators believe the shooting may be linked to longstanding tensions and rivalries within sections of the hostel community. Officials are also examining whether organized criminal activity played a role in the attack.
Hostel complexes across South Africa were originally built during the apartheid era to house migrant laborers. Over the years, many have been affected by overcrowding, unemployment, and recurring violent clashes, particularly between rival groups.
Authorities have appealed to residents for information that could assist in tracking down the suspects. Police have urged anyone with knowledge of the shooters or the events leading up to the attack to come forward.
As the investigation continues, community leaders have called for calm and cooperation with law enforcement, while families of the victims begin the difficult process of mourning and identifying their loved ones.
