By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
At least 11 people have died and another 14 have been injured in a mass shooting at a hostel in Saulsville, Atteridgeville in Pretoria.
Fullview learnt that the incident took place in the early hours of Saturday morning at home being used as an informal tavern.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe says the shooting happened at around 4:15 am, but police were only alerted to it at around 6am.
‘We are told it happened at around 4:15 am, but police were only alerted to it at around 6am.
“We immediately mobilised our resources. We have forensic experts, ballistic experts, detectives and officers from the serious and violent crimes unit all on the ground.
This incident follows the killing of Witness D, Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, who was shot dead in Brakpan on Friday in front of his family.
Van der Merwe, 41, recently appeared before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating alleged corruption, the shielding of criminal networks, and political interference in the justice system. He was killed shortly after 8pm.
There are more than 2.7 million legal gun owners in South Africa, according to a survey by Gun Free South Africa (GFSA) – roughly 8% of the adult population.
When it comes to the war against crime, South Africa’s police do appear to be losing. The murder rate in the country reached a 20-year high and guns are the weapon of choice.
Mass shootings and assassinations are becoming a “feature” of South Africa.
Many of these crimes are carried out by illegal firearms – of which there are some 2.35 million in circulation, according to GFSA.