Police probe extortion link to Saulsville mass shooting: Mthombeni

Police at the scene of Saturday morning’s mass shooting in Saulsville, Pretoria, December 6, 2025.

Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni says they’re now probing acts of extortionists linked to the recent Atteridgeville mass shooting that claimed 12 lives and leaving 13 others injured.

A suspect appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on 12 counts of murder and 13 of attempted murder. The case has been postponed until the February next year for further investigation.

Two other suspects are still on the run.

The suspect, who cannot be named pending the identity parade, also appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday where he abandoned his bail application.

Addressing the media outside the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court in Pretoria West on Wednesday, Mthombeni says it appears the assailants were on the day of the mass shooting, looking for some members of the rival group after one of their members was killed.

WATCH | Gauteng Police Commissioner Lt Gen Tommy Mthombeni says the search is still on for the remaining suspects linked to the Saulsville mass shooting. pic.twitter.com/m1mt2TUKaC

— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 31, 2025