Parolee among Saulsville massacre suspects – Masemola

SAPS National Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, says one of the three gunmen who opened fire on residents at the Saulsville hostel this past Saturday is a parolee who was released in September.

The parolee and two accomplices allegedly stormed an illegal shebeen at the hostel and opened fire on patrons.

Twenty-five people were caught in the crossfire – including 12 who died. Three of the deceased are children aged, 3, 12, and 16.

Masemola says that since April, police have shut down 101 illegal shebeens across the country, but many reopen shortly after being closed. He added that the problem is worsened  by community members who benefit from the illegal trade and often fail to report it.

Masemola confirmed that one of the three suspects — out on parole for attempted murder and extortion — was armed with a pistol during the attack. He said the group is believed to have links to KwaZulu-Natal, and that one possible motive being investigated is taxi-related conflict.

He added that police cannot yet confirm whether the firearms used were licensed.

The shebeen owner has been charged with operating illegally, while 12 murder cases have also been opened. Masemola said police “have an idea” who the assailants are and are closing in on them.

– Families devastated –

The Khanyile family, the hardest hit, lost three relatives in the massacre. Six other family members remain in hospital with severe injuries.

Among the dead is three-year-old Sanelisiwe, who had been visiting from KwaZulu-Natal for the holidays.

The owner of the shebeen was also shot and is recovering in hospital. A family member told YNews she is well known for her generosity in the community.

– Community living in fear –

Residents of Saulsville are calling for stronger law enforcement interventions in the area following the deadly weekend shooting.

The residents told YNews that they live in constant fear, saying violent incidents have become a normal part of their lives.

One resident, who was asleep when the shooting began, said he feared stepping outside.

“We are not okay at all. We face pain and violence everyday. We have been crying for too long about this we don’t even know where to run to. We are getting murdered; the kids are crying; they also get killed. When the gun shots went off I was sleeping in my room. I was afraid to go out and intervene because I feared they might shoot me too,” the resident said.

He criticised local leadership, saying politicians appear supportive during crises but fail to follow through with action.
Some residents refused to speak on record, fearing retaliation from the gunmen.

– Victim’s family speaks out –

Nelisiwe Malakoane, sister of 22-year-old Spiwe Malakoane — one of the 12 victims — says she feels lost after her brother’s death. Spiwe moved to Pretoria in January to study IT at Tshwane South College and was expected to uplift his family.

She says the shooting has left them shattered.

“I don’t even think these are people, because only an animal can kill so many people with such guts. The victims didn’t even fight back. These attackers are not normal people and they don’t deserve to live in society. They kill people who are important to us. You can’t replace someone’s life,” she said.

Nelisiwe added that the family learned of Spiwe’s death on social media after photographs of his body were circulated online.

#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

Written by: Odirile Rabalao