Twelve people, including three children, were killed when gunmen opened fire at an unlicensed bar inside a hostel in Saulsville township west of Pretoria early on Saturday.
Police said at least 25 people were shot, with 13 survivors receiving hospital treatment.
The attackers, described as three unidentified men, entered the premises shortly after 04:00 local time and began firing at a group of people who had gathered to drink.
Victims included a three-year-old boy, a twelve-year-old boy, and a sixteen-year-old girl.
Most of the fatalities occurred at the scene while two people died later in hospital.
Authorities said the gunmen fired indiscriminately, noting that by the time police were alerted nearly two hours had passed, complicating initial response efforts.
Police described the site as an unlicensed shebeen, part of a long-standing challenge for South African law enforcement.
Officials have repeatedly linked mass-casualty shootings to informal drinking venues, where security is minimal and illegal firearms are common.
Between April and September, authorities closed more than 11,000 illegal outlets and arrested over 18,000 people for related offences, though these operations have not halted recurring violence.
South Africa continues to record some of the world’s highest homicide levels.
More than 26,000 homicides were registered in 2024, driven in part by organized criminal networks, gang activity, and widespread circulation of illegal guns.
Mass shootings have occurred in both urban and rural areas, targeting taverns, homes, and public spaces.
Recent cases include attacks in Johannesburg, Durban, and the Eastern Cape, underscoring the systemic nature of the problem.
Police have launched a manhunt for the three suspects and say the motive remains unknown.
Authorities stressed that many victims of such attacks are bystanders caught in gunfire rather than intended targets.
As investigations continue, questions persist over the effectiveness of crackdowns on illegal liquor outlets and the broader strategy for reducing armed violence across the country.