Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola says police know motive behind Saulsville mass shooting

South African Police Service (SAPS) National Commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola said they have an idea of what may have led to the shooting in Saulsville, Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, where at least 12 people died following a deadly shooting at an illegal shebeen inside a hostel.

Masemola said police were still gathering intelligence and analysing information that has been received. 

Masemola visited the area on Monday following the tragic shooting that occurred around 4am on Saturday, leaving 12 people dead, including three minors, and 14 others wounded. 

Of the 14 that were wounded eight are members of the Khanyile family, who also lost three children- a three-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old girl.

The police have launched a manhunt for three suspects and are investigating the incident as 12 counts of murder and 14 counts of attempted murder.

SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said several more people were injured in the attack.

Just hours before, Witness D at the Madlanga Commission, Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, was gunned down in a hit in Brakpan.

CCTV footage that has since emerged from Friday night's shooting shows van der Merwe is seen talking to the men believed to be behind the assassination.

Meanwhile, co-chairs of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) have met following van der Merwe's murder. The meeting, held in Pretoria at the NATJOINTS Operations Centre, agreed to enhance the Commission’s security operational plan.

Mathe said while extensive measures have been put in place to secure witnesses and officials since the start of the Commission, the meeting identified a need to heighten these measures by roping in the NATJOINTS and all other relevant role players.

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