The Gauteng Provincial Government has commended the South African Police Service (SAPS) for its coordinated efforts that led to the arrest of a suspect in connection with the Saulsville Hostel shooting in Atteridgeville. The arrest marks a major breakthrough in the investigation of the 6 December 2025 attack, which claimed 12 lives, including a three-year-old child, and left 13 others injured.
Authorities confirmed that the nationwide manhunt for the suspects culminated in the apprehension of a 32-year-old man in Limpopo. Gauteng Acting Premier Jacob Mamabolo praised the police for their relentless pursuit of the perpetrators, describing the arrest as evidence of the law enforcement agencies’ commitment to identifying and holding accountable those responsible for violent crimes in the province.
“The arrest in Saulsville shows that our law enforcement agencies are diligently working hard to identify the perpetrators of these heinous acts in the province. We salute them and have full confidence in their resolve and ability to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice,” Acting Premier Mamabolo said.
The Acting Premier added that authorities remain focused on tracking down the remaining suspects in the Saulsville Hostel case. He also emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting communities affected by violent crime.
This morning, Mamabolo is scheduled to visit the families of the victims of another mass shooting in Tambo Section, Bekkersdal, which claimed ten lives and left nine others injured and critical in hospital. The Acting Premier expressed hope that the police would make swift arrests in that case as well, assuring the community of the government’s full support in the ongoing investigations.
“We hope the police will make a breakthrough in the Bekkersdal shooting investigations soon, and we assure them of our full support in their efforts to track and arrest these dangerous criminals who have shown total disregard for human life and disdain for the law. We will spare no effort to ensure that justice is served for all the victims and their grieving families,” he said.
The Gauteng government said it will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies to strengthen community safety and ensure that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice. Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and report any information that could assist in ongoing investigations.
The Saulsville Hostel and Bekkersdal shootings are part of a series of violent incidents in Gauteng this year, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling organised crime and acts of mass violence within communities.
