32-year-old arrested in reference to mass taking pictures that killed 12, together with 3 youngsters | EUROtoday

A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in reference to a mass taking pictures which claimed the lives of 12 folks together with three youngsters at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police stated on Monday.

The man is suspected of being one of many three individuals who opened hearth on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa’s capital Pretoria, killing 12 folks together with three youngsters aged 3, 12 and 16.

At least 13 folks had been additionally injured in the course of the assault, whose motive stays unknown.

According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday whereas touring to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, greater than 340 kilometers (210 miles) from the place the mass taking pictures occurred on Dec. 6.

An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used in the course of the assault was recovered from the suspect’s automobile.

“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police stated in assertion.

The suspect was arrested on the identical day that one other mass taking pictures at a pub occurred within the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, by which 9 folks had been killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened hearth on patrons.

Police have since launched a seek for the suspects.

South Africa has one of many highest murder charges on the planet and recorded greater than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — a mean of greater than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the main reason for loss of life in homicides.

The nation of 62 million folks has comparatively strict gun possession legal guidelines, however many killings are dedicated with unlawful weapons, based on authorities.

According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars have gotten a major problem. Police shut down greater than 11,000 unlawful taverns between April and September this yr and arrested greater than 18,000 folks for involvement in unlawful liquor gross sales.