Mass Shooting At South Africa Hostel Kills 11 Including Three Children, Sparks Manhunt For Three Gunmen
Eleven people, including three children aged three, 12 and 16, were killed when three gunmen stormed a hostel in South Africa’s capital and opened fire indiscriminately, leaving 14 others injured. Police have launched a manhunt for the attackers and are investigating whether the killings are connected to an unlicensed bar operating within the hostel premises.
“I can confirm that a total of 25 people were shot,” said police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, referring to the early morning attack in Saulsville township, located 11 miles (18 km) west of Pretoria. She confirmed that 14 victims were hospitalised following the assault by armed men who fired without discrimination.
“Ten died on this particular scene, and one died in hospital,” Mathe added. Among the deceased were a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl. The shooting occurred around 4.15 am, though police were not alerted until 6 am. Authorities have not yet established a clear motive for the attack.
This incident marks the latest in a series of mass shootings plaguing the nation of 63 million, which records one of the world’s highest murder rates.
South African police have been battling violence associated with illegal drinking establishments known as shebeens, which frequently sell substandard homemade alcohol.
“What I can tell you is that these illegal shebeens are really giving us a problem as the police,” Mathe told the 24-hour eNCA news broadcaster. “Because a lot of murders are being reported at these illegal establishments.”
Forensic and ballistic specialists were deployed to the scene alongside investigators. “So we are on a manhunt. For now, we are looking for three suspects,” she stated.
Mathe revealed that police closed down over 11,000 unlicensed taverns between April and September this year, arresting more than 18,000 individuals for involvement in illegal alcohol sales.
Police statistics show that more than 60 people were killed daily between April and September in South Africa.
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Despite relatively stringent gun ownership regulations in the country of 62 million people, authorities report that many killings involve illegal firearms.