What Happened in Pretoria? 11 Dead and 14 Injured in Mass Shooting
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Synopsis
In a tragic turn of events, a mass shooting in Pretoria has left 11 dead and 14 injured. The South African Police have confirmed the details and launched a manhunt for suspects. This incident highlights the ongoing struggles with violence and illegal liquor establishments in the country. Read on for more details.
Key Takeaways
- 11 fatalities confirmed in Pretoria shooting.
- 14 individuals hospitalized.
- Manhunt ongoing for three suspects.
- Illegal liquor outlets pose significant challenges.
- Similar incidents have occurred in Cape Town.
Johannesburg, Dec 6 (NationPress) The fatality count from a horrific shooting event in Pretoria on Saturday has increased to 11, as confirmed by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The tragic event occurred at Saulsville Hostel in Atteridgeville, located to the west of Pretoria, in the early hours of Saturday.
According to the SAPS, "25 people were shot, resulting in 11 confirmed deaths and 14 injured individuals currently hospitalized. Authorities have initiated a manhunt for three unidentified suspects. Among the deceased are three minors, including boys aged 3 and 12 and a 16-year-old girl; the remainder of the deceased are adults. This unfortunate incident took place at an illegal shebeen," the SAPS stated.
Local media reports indicate that the shooting happened shortly after 4:15 AM, but the police were only notified around 6:00 AM.
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the national spokesperson for the SAPS, remarked, "We promptly deployed our resources, including forensic and ballistics experts, who were already on site. Our detectives, along with the Serious and Violent Crime Unit, are currently gathering information to uncover the circumstances leading to this shooting," as reported by Independent Online (IOL).
According to Mathe's account, the IOL disclosed that at least three unidentified gunmen entered the hostel, where a group of individuals were drinking, and commenced shooting indiscriminately.
The SAPS spokesperson further emphasized the significant challenges posed by illegal and unlicensed liquor establishments. "Between April and September of this year, we closed down 11,975 unlicensed liquor outlets nationwide and apprehended over 18,676 individuals for illegal liquor sales," the official was quoted as saying by the IOL.
In a related incident last month, seven men lost their lives in a mass shooting in Cape Town, located in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
This incident occurred on Road R53 in Philippi East, a suburb in the Cape Flats area of Cape Town, where seven men aged between 20 and 30 were shot dead in what authorities labeled a "senseless act of violence."
Following Johannesburg, Cape Town has also experienced an uptick in gun violence and gang-related killings in recent months, prompting civil society warnings that the Western Cape Province, of which Cape Town is the capital, is facing a severe crisis.
In September, escalating gun violence in Cape Town, which resulted in at least a dozen fatalities across the city in just over a week, led local authorities to suspend certain minibus taxi routes for 30 days, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
Point of View
It is crucial to acknowledge the persistent challenges South Africa faces in terms of gun violence and illegal liquor establishments. This incident is not an isolated event but part of a larger pattern that affects communities nationwide. The safety and security of our citizens must be prioritized, and urgent measures are needed to address these issues.
NationPress
06/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the Pretoria shooting?
A mass shooting occurred at Saulsville Hostel, resulting in 11 fatalities and 14 injuries.
Who are the suspects in the Pretoria shooting?
Three unknown suspects are being sought by the police.
What are the challenges related to illegal liquor outlets?
Illegal liquor outlets have been linked to increased violence and crime in South Africa.
Have there been other shootings recently?
Yes, another mass shooting occurred in Cape Town last month, resulting in seven deaths.
What is being done to combat gun violence?
The SAPS is actively working to shut down illegal liquor outlets and combat gun violence.
