Manhunt Launched After Pretoria Shebeen Shooting Leaves 11 Dead

A manhunt is underway in South Africa after gunmen opened fire at a shebeen in Saulsville near Pretoria, killing 11 people, including three children, and injuring 14 others. Police say 25 people were shot in total and are searching for three unidentified suspects, with the motive still unclear. Authorities warn that illegal drinking spots are frequent sites of deadly violence, reflecting South Africa’s broader struggle with rising gun crime.

A massive manhunt is underway in South Africa after a deadly shooting at a local bar near Pretoria left at least 11 people dead, among them three children aged 3, 12 and 16. Police confirmed the attack took place late Friday night at a popular “shebeen” in Saulsville, a township located about 18 kilometers west of Pretoria.

According to authorities, another 14 people sustained injuries and were rushed to various hospitals for treatment. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said a total of 25 people were shot during the attack. Ten victims died on the spot, while one more died later in hospital as medical teams battled to save their life.

Investigators say they are searching for three unidentified suspects believed to have carried out the shooting. The motive remains unclear, and officials have not ruled out any possibilities as the investigation continues.

The South African Police Service expressed deep concern that the victims include young children who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Mathe highlighted that illegal and unlicensed drinking spots are increasingly becoming hotspots for mass shootings, putting entire communities at risk. She stressed that innocent people often end up caught in the crossfire when violence erupts in these areas.

Gun violence remains a major challenge in South Africa, a country that records one of the highest murder rates globally — averaging around 60 killings every single day in a population of about 63 million. Many of these attacks are linked to gang activity, alcohol abuse and disputes that escalate into deadly confrontations.

This latest incident adds to a series of recent mass shootings that have shaken the public. In May, gunmen stormed a tavern in Durban and opened fire, killing eight customers. Last year, a horrifying attack in the Eastern Cape left 18 family members dead at their rural homestead, marking one of the deadliest mass killings in the country in recent years.

As police intensify their search for the suspects, communities across the nation are once again calling for stronger controls on illegal firearms and tighter regulation of informal drinking venues to prevent further loss of innocent lives.