Fatimah Otunsanya
Gunmen stormed a hostel in Saulsville, 18 kilometres west of Pretoria, on Saturday, killing 11 people, including a three-year-old child, South African police said.
The attack is the latest in a string of mass shootings that have shaken the country of 63 million, South Africa Broadcasting News reports.
Police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe said: “I can confirm that a total of 25 people were shot,” adding that 14 had been hospitalised.
She explained that ten victims died at the scene, while another succumbed to injuries in hospital. The attack also claimed the lives of a 12-year-old and a 16-year-old.
Mathe described the incident: “Quite an unfortunate incident. Police were only alerted to this incident at around 6 o’clock.”
Authorities said three gunmen entered the premises at around 4:30 am (0230 GMT) and indiscriminately opened fire on a group of men who were drinking. The motive remains unknown, and no arrests have been made.
South Africa, the continent’s most industrialized nation, continues to grapple with entrenched crime and corruption driven by organised networks. While many citizens own licensed firearms for personal protection, illegal guns are widespread.
Police data indicates that between April and September, an average of 63 people were killed each day, highlighting the scale of the country’s ongoing violence.
Mathe added that investigations are ongoing.
She concluded, “We are still investigating the motive, but as I’ve indicated, maximum resources have been deployed to arrest those that are behind this incident.”