Saulsville massacre: Police open case against owner of unlicensed tavern

Police have opened a case against the owner of an unlicensed tavern in Saulsville, west of Pretoria, where a mass shooting claimed the lives of 12 people.

The case against the owner pertains to running an illegal and unauthorised drinking establishment.

On Saturday morning, three gunmen entered the tavern and shot at 25 people.

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Although the suspects remain at large, authorities said the tavern owner must also be held accountable.

The woman who owned the tavern at the W2 Saulsville hostel was also shot but she survived and remains in hospital.

Her living room was converted into a tavern, using cardboard to separate it from the bedroom.

It’s understood the shooters stormed the tavern, opened fire on the patrons, and then went straight to the bedroom, where they also shot children aged three, 12 and 16.

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said that their mother, who owned the tavern, must also account.

“We have also charged the owner of the room, who is one of the injured and is in hospital, for operating a tavern without a valid liquor license.”

Meanwhile, Masemola said the shooters are still at large, but they now know who they are.

101 ILLEGAL TAVERNS IN ATTERIDGEVILLE CLOSED

Police claim they’ve shut down 101 illegal taverns in Atteridgeville alone over the past seven months.

Masemola has dismissed claims that law enforcement is failing to tackle unauthorised taverns.

“In the Atteridgeville police station precinct, from the start of this financial year, starting on the 1 April 2025, we have shutdown 101 illegal and unlicensed shebeens and taverns. 

“Eleven of those were closed down in the last four weeks and our members are intensifying their operations to shut down more of these illegal establishments.”