By Thapelo Molefe
National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola on Monday said police have identified the suspect behind the deadly mass shooting at an illegal tavern in Saulsville, where 12 people were killed and 13 others injured on Saturday.
One of the alleged shooters was released on parole in September.
Speaking at the crime scene at the Saulsville hostel, west of Pretoria, Masemola said detectives and uniformed officers were working around the clock to track down the suspects, who remain at large.
“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 detectives and uniformed police are working around the clock to find these killers,” said Masemola.
“With the latest incident, we do agree that we must indeed intensify these operations to ensure that we leave nothing to chance. We are still investigating the motive of this incident, we do have an idea of what may have led to this incident, however intelligence is still gathering and analysing information that has been received. In no time, we are confident, that we will find these three suspects.”
Police have registered 12 counts of murder and 13 counts of attempted murder.
The tavern owner, who was among the injured, has also been charged for operating without a valid liquor licence.
Masemola warned that illegal and unlicensed drinking spots continue to fuel violent crime.
Since April, the Atteridgeville precinct has shut down 101 illegal taverns and shebeens, including 11 in the past month.
The Saulsville massacre is the third mass shooting in Gauteng this year.
In July, six people were killed in Olivenhoutbosch and five in Bronkhorstpruit, prompting arrests and cooperation with INTERPOL.
Masemola urged communities to remain vigilant, adding that recent intelligence-driven operations had prevented a cash-in-transit robbery and dismantled a drug lab worth more than R100 million in Temba, Makapanstad, discovered by members of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in the Western Cape.
“In Temba, Makapanstad, which is about more than sixty kilometres from where we are, we have this morning shutdown a drug lab with drugs and drug manufacturing equipment worth more than R100 million… this was an intelligence driven operation, and we are confident that we will continue to intercept these organised crime syndicates and dismantle their illegal operations. A total of six suspects have been arrested,” said Masemola.
Masemola also said investigators were closing in on the killers of Marius van der Merwe, a key witness before the Madlanga Commission.
Three persons of interest have been identified, and one has already been questioned.
“On the Marius Van Der Merwe case, three persons of interest have been identified and one has been for questioning, as police investigations continue. We are confident that soon we will register a breakthrough as police remain on high alert for those behind the killing of Mr Van Der Merwe,” said Masemola.
“Safe to say, investigations are on the right track. The NATJOINTS together with Madlanga Commission has met and developed a plan to heighten and enhance security around officials and witnesses linked to the commission. Remember if you See Something, Say Something!”
Van der Merwe was assassinated outside his Brakpan home on Friday evening.
His wife, who was with him in the car, escaped unharmed. Nothing was stolen, indicating a targeted hit.
Earlier this year, he testified that Ekurhuleni Metro Police Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi instructed officers to dispose of a tortured suspect’s body.
Mkhwanazi has denied the allegations.
The killing has intensified concerns about witness safety.
Masemola said NATJOINTS, working with the Madlanga Commission, had implemented measures to protect witnesses and officials.
Police units, including crime intelligence and ballistics experts, confirmed that an AK-47 was used in the attack.
“On the evening of the murder of the deceased, video footage shows a white bakkie pulling up behind his vehicle as he was about to open the gate to his residence and he was thereafter shot several times and died on the scene,” said Masemola.
“At this stage, we do believe that the white Chevrolet bakkie that was abandoned in Alexandra township, right here in Johannesburg fits the description of the vehicle that we have been looking for. According to a police preliminary investigation, the vehicle was abandoned on Saturday morning by two men, just hours after Van Der Merwe was shot and killed.”
“We are closing in on these suspects as our investigations reach a very advanced and sensitive stage. Linked to the murder of Mr Marius Van Der Merwe, we are investigating two other cases which is the murder case of Duduza which I earlier mentioned and the attempted murder of Mr Marius Van Der Merwe in September 2025 in which he indicated that there were two white males that were following him in a Mahindra Bakkie. We are still looking for the murder weapon that was used in the commission of this crime.”
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