Atteridgeville mass shooting calls for greater urgency to achieve gun free Gauteng - community safety committee

The Gauteng Provincial Portfolio Committee on Community Safety said the latest mass shooting in Pretoria calls for greater urgency to achieve a gun free province.

Twelve people were killed when gunmen entered an illegal shebeen in Saulsville near Atteridgeville and opened fire on the patrons on Saturday.

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Three minors - aged 3, 12 and 16 are among the victims, while several others were seriously injured.

The motive for the shooting is still unknown, and the suspects are still at large.

Police have again raised concerns about an increase in mass shootings at illegal taverns.

National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said that part of the problem is the circulation of unlicenced firearms, with more than 3,500 illegal firearms recovered between April and September.

Gauteng Provincial Portfolio Committee on Community Safety's Bandile Masuku said, “The portfolio committee calls on the law enforcement agencies and how they to leave no stone unturned, ensuring that the perpetrators are found and they are put behind bars. 

“We also urge community members to cooperate fully with the police to assist in the urgent arrest of the three suspects linked to the source field shooting. The committee maintains that the proliferation of illegal firearms poses a grave threat to the safety and well-being.”

He said a partnership between communities, law enforcement and government is needed to help dismantle networks supplying deadly weapons.