A shooting at an unlicensed bar in South Africa’s Pretoria has resulted in the deaths of 12 people, with one person succumbing to injuries in hospital. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, also left 13 people wounded. Among the deceased are three minors, aged 3, 12, and 16.

The early morning shooting at a hostel in the Saulville township has brought attention to the country’s unlicensed bars, locally known as Shebeens. According to Athlenda Mathe, a spokesperson for the South Africa Police, these establishments pose a significant problem for law enforcement. “These illegal Shebeens are giving us a problem as the police, because a lot of murders are being reported at these illegal establishments,” Mathe stated. Between April and September this year, the police shut down 11,975 illegal Shebeens nationwide.

South Africa has experienced several mass shootings at Shebeens in recent years, including a 2022 incident in Johannesburg that claimed 16 lives. On the same day, four people were killed in a mass shooting at a bar in another province. The country’s struggles with violence extend beyond bars, however. In September last year, 18 people, including 15 women, were killed in mass shootings at two houses in the Eastern Cape province. Seven men were arrested and face multiple murder charges, with police recovering three AK-style assault rifles believed to have been used in the shootings.

South Africa has one of the highest murder rates globally, with an average of over 70 deaths per day. Firearms are the leading cause of death in homicides, and while the country has relatively strict gun ownership laws, many killings are committed with illegal guns. The police are intensifying their operations to inspect and shut down unlicensed establishments, in an effort to curb the violence.

The latest incident highlights the need for continued efforts to address the root causes of violence in South Africa. As the country grapples with its high murder rate, the focus on unlicensed bars and illegal firearms is likely to remain a priority for law enforcement. With the investigation into the recent shooting ongoing, authorities will be working to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, while also taking steps to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.