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National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola briefing the media in Saulsville, 8 Dec 2025.
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola says the arrest of three suspects is imminent following the murder of 12 people at a tavern in Saulsville, Pretoria. Thirteen others were injured.
One of the three suspects is a parolee who was released in September this year for various crimes.
Three gunmen entered the tavern at the local hostel in the early hours of Saturday morning and opened fire on patrons.
The motive for the mass shooting is still not known. Masemola says the owner of the tavern, who was shot three times and is currently in hospital, has also been charged.
Masemola says police are investigating the motive for the incident, however, he adds that they do have an idea of what may have led to the incident.
“However, intelligence is still gathering and analyzing information that has been received. In no time, we are confident we will find three suspects which we do have an idea who they are,” adds Masemola.
#sapsHQ [SPEAKER NOTES GENERAL FANNIE MASEMOLA, SAULSVILLE, 08 DECEMBER 2025]
We gather this afternoon, at the crime scene where twelve people lost their lives and thirteen others are still in hospital receiving medical treatment. Three suspects are still at large, but our… pic.twitter.com/tt6a450yQ4— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 8, 2025
Meanwhile, a family member who lost three relatives in the shooting says the tragedy has torn their family apart.
The relative, who does not want to be identified, says they are desperate for answers and justice.
“I have lost three souls in my home, my little brother and two nephews and my two sisters who are still in hospital, also my other few nephews, in total, all my 6 family members are in hospital and these three were badly injured and already dead when I got here and what I found here was a terrible situation,” says the relative.
