• At least 11 people, including three children, killed in a shooting in Pretoria.
• The attack occurred at an illegal bar in Saulsville township.
• A manhunt is underway for the unidentified gunmen responsible.
• South Africa has one of the highest murder rates globally, averaging around 60 per day.
• Authorities continue to grapple with crime linked to illegal liquor establishments.

At least 11 people, including a three-year-old boy, were killed in a mass shooting at a hostel in South Africa's Saulsville township early Saturday. Fourteen others were wounded in this incident, marking another tragic event in a series of mass shootings in recent years. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe reported that three gunmen opened fire around 4:30 AM, targeting a group of people drinking at what is described as an illegal bar or "shebeen" according to BBC and India Times.

Police confirmed that among the deceased were a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, with ten victims dying at the scene and the eleventh in the hospital. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and no arrests have been made. A manhunt is underway for the suspects, and police have noted a concerning trend of mass shootings at illegal bars in South Africa, where violence often stems from gang-related issues or alcohol-fueled altercations, according to Africa News, Reuters, and CBS News.

With South Africa struggling with one of the world's highest murder rates, averaging about 60 a day, the situation is dire. Police efforts to combat illegal liquor establishments include closing down over 11,000 illegal bars between April and September 2023. Despite strict gun ownership laws, shootings frequently involve illegal firearms, as evidenced by this tragic event that highlights the ongoing challenges the country faces concerning gun violence, as reported by India Times and Reuters.