The cold-blooded shooting at an illegal tavern at Saulsville Hostel in Pretoria stands out as one of the deadliest recorded in South Africa in recent years. Three unknown gunmen reportedly stormed into the tavern at about 04:00 on Saturday, 6 December and opened fire randomly on 25 patrons. The incident claimed the lives of 12 people, including three minor children – a three-year-old boy and two teenagers aged 12 and 16. Police reported that 13 wounded people were still hospitalised and receiving medical treatment.
Brigadier Atlenda Mathe, national spokesperson for the police, said 11 people were killed instantly at the scene while the 12th victim died at the hospital, adding that the rest of the victims were adults.
The motive for the massacre remains under investigation by police, who are yet to make a breakthrough in terms of arresting the suspects who are on the run. It is reported that police were only alerted two hours after the incident occurred.
The owner of the shebeen has been charged with operating illegally following the mass shooting that left 12 people dead. The owner is among the survivors currently recovering in hospital.
Gauteng police are conducting a full-scale manhunt for three armed men in connection with the Saulsville tavern massacre. General Fannie Masemola, the National Commissioner, said a team comprising detectives and uniformed police had been deployed as part of the intensive search for the suspects.
Other notable deadly tavern shootings are stark reminders of rampant crime in South Africa
- The Soweto tavern shooting on 10 July 2022: The incident resulted in 16 fatalities. In the early hours of the day in question, gunmen entered Mdlalose’s Tavern in the Nomzamo informal settlement in Orlando East and indiscriminately opened fire on patrons with rifles and pistols. A total of 23 people were shot, with the death toll eventually reaching 16. The victims were aged between 19 and 35. The perpetrators fled the scene and were not apprehended.
- Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal (July 2022): Four people were killed and eight injured when two gunmen stormed a tavern in the Sweetwaters area and opened fire. Four suspects were later arrested in connection with this incident.
- Orange Farm, Gauteng (October 2024): A tavern owner allegedly killed seven people, including a three-year-old boy, after an altercation at his establishment. He reportedly followed a man home and opened fire on a family gathering. He then returned to his home and shot himself.
- Enyobeni Tavern disaster: Not involving gun violence, the incident stands out as the deadliest single tavern incident in South African history after 21 youths died. The incident occurred on 26 June 2022, in the Scenery Park township of East London, Eastern Cape. The victims, aged between 13 and 21, were attending a “pens down” party celebrating the end of school exams.
