Atteridgeville tavern shooting suspect abandons bail application, remanded in custody

The suspect arrested in connection with a tavern mass shooting in Atteridgeville has abandoned his bail application.

The accused will be remanded in custody after appearing in the Polokwane Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.

Ballistic tests have linked a gun found in his possession to the weapon used in the attack at the liquor outlet earlier this month.

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Twelve people were killed and 13 others injured when gunmen opened fire at the liquor outlet.

The suspect is one of three people who were taken in for questioning after being apprehended in Limpopo last week.

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed the details: “The accused in the Saulsville matter has appeared before the Polokwane Magistrates Court on a charge of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

“The accused abandoned his bail application and the matter has been postponed to the 19th of February 2026, and he is remanded in custody until then. Tomorrow, he will appear again in Atteridgeville where he is facing 12 counts of murder and 13 counts of attempted murder.”