The community of Saulsville is reeling in shock and grief after a pre-dawn mass shooting at a local hostel on Saturday left eleven people dead, including a three-year-old child. The death toll rose after one of the wounded succumbed to injuries in hospital, according to police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.
Fourteen other victims are receiving treatment for gunshot wounds at Kalafong Hospital. The motive for the attack, which sent over two dozen rounds of gunfire through the area around 4 a.m., remains unclear.
The scene outside the hostel was one of profound anguish as families arrived throughout the day, desperately seeking information about missing loved ones. Distraught relatives described the chaos of identifying victims and the heartbreaking personal stories behind the rising death toll.
One woman recounted how her partner left their room just after 4 a.m., saying he would return quickly, and never came back. He has since been identified as one of the deceased. Another family was seen searching for a man fearing he was among those killed.
“The families were very shocked… saying that it’s the first time that they’ve seen something like this,” noted a reporter on the scene, who described the arrival of forensic pathology service trucks to remove remains after a lengthy wait.
The Provincial Commissioner, who was briefed on the incident, addressed the media, calling the loss of life “unfortunate.”
“A number of 11, it’s not something which one has to say. We have just lost… even one loss is too many,” the Commissioner stated. He confirmed the death of the three-year-old, saying, “a young life has been taken… who knows, maybe this particular person will be one of the leaders to lead South Africa.”
While no arrests have been made, the Commissioner confirmed the shooting is now a priority case, with the deputy provincial commissioner for crime detection leading a specialized team. Investigators are appealing to the community for information, noting that fear has made some residents reluctant to speak on camera.
“The communities… they cannot speak on camera which tells you that there’s a lot more than what we’re being told,” observed the reporter.
Authorities revealed the hostel was operating as an unlicensed liquor outlet, which they believe played a role in the violence. The Commissioner linked the incident to broader issues of illegal firearms and unlicensed liquor sales, which police have targeted in recent operations, including “Operation Shaela” in other parts of Pretoria.
“The owner was selling this liquor without a license… we have to apply the law to the letter,” the Commissioner said, noting the owner was among the injured and would face legal processing.
The Commissioner outlined plans to deploy additional resources, including newly passed-out constables, to bolster safety. He emphasized a coordinated effort with Metro Police and community safety structures to address crime generators as the festive season approaches.
As forensic teams continue their work, the shattered community of Saulsville is left to mourn an unimaginable loss, with police vowing to pursue every lead to find those responsible.