2025 Saulsville shooting
| 2025 Saulsville shooting | |
|---|---|
| Location | Saulsville, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Date | 6 December 2025 c. 4:15 a.m. (SAST) |
Attack type | Mass shooting, pedicide |
| Weapons | Firearms |
| Deaths | 12 |
| Injured | 13 |
No. of participants | 3 |
On 6 December 2025, multiple gunmen opened fire inside of a shebeen in Saulsville, Gauteng, South Africa, killing at least 12 people and injuring 13 others.
Background
South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, at 45 people per 100,000 according to 2023–24 figures from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. In 2024 alone, South Africa recorded more than 26,000 homicides—an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are the leading cause of death in homicides. 63 people were killed every day between April and September, according to police data.[1] The country has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns.
Several fatal mass shootings have also occurred in bars in recent years,[2] with a majority taking place in shebeens, or illegal bars. In a major crackdown between April and September 2025, police shut down 12,000 such outlets and arrested 18,000 people.[1] Shootings, often relating to organized crime, are said to be fueled by alcohol sold at shebeens.[3] Two of the most violent recent mass shootings; the Soweto and Pietermaritzburg shootings, which combined killed 20 people and injured 15 people, occurred at shebeens. Mass shootings in the country are not just confined to shebeens however, with two related mass shootings in the town of Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, killing 24 people and injuring 9.[4]
Shooting
At around 4:15 a.m., at least three male gunmen entered an illegal hostel and started randomly firing at a group of people drinking. Police were not alerted until two hours later. The motive for the shooting is unclear.[1][2]
Victims
At least 12 people were killed and 13 others were injured. Ten of the people killed were pronounced dead on scene, while two others later died in hospital.[5] Three children aged 3, 12, and 16 were among the fatalities.[2]
Aftermath
On 22 December 2025, a suspect was arrested in connection with the shooting.[6]
See also
- List of mass shootings in South Africa
- 2024 Lusikisiki shootings
- 2022 Soweto shooting
- 2022 Pietermaritzburg shooting
- Khayelitsha tavern shooting
References
- ^ a b c "At least 11 killed in South Africa mass shooting". BBC News. December 6, 2025. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ^ a b c "11 killed, including 3 children, in shooting at a South African bar". CBS News. December 6, 2025. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ^ Holmes, Oliver (December 6, 2025). "Gunmen kill at least 12 people including three-year-old in hostel in South Africa". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ^ Imray, -Gerald (December 6, 2025). "Mass shooting at South African hostel bar leaves 11 dead, including 3 children". PBS News. Associated Press. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ^ "Mass shooting at a South African bar leaves 12 dead, including 3 children". Associated Press. December 6, 2025. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ^ "South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children". AP News. December 22, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2026.