Suspect abandons bails after forensic evidence links firearm to the Atteridgeville mass shooting that left 12 people dead. The accused in the Saulsville tavern mass shooting abandoned his bail application after appearing at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on a charge of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. This follows police confirmation that aballistic report has linked a firearm seized from the suspectto the deadly shooting.
The gun was seized after one of the three suspects was arrested last week while travelling to Botlokwa in Limpopo. The arrestfollows a coordinated operation between Gauteng and Limpopo police follows a coordinated operation between Gauteng and Limpopo police The 32-year-old faces12 counts of murder and 13 counts of attempted murderfollowing the early-morning attack on December 6, 2025, that left a dozen people dead and 13 others injured. During the arrest, police recovered an unlicensed firearm as well as several rounds of ammunition believed to have played a crucial role in the horrific attack.
On Tuesday, national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the recovered firearm was positively linked to the crime. “Following ballistics testing, police can now confirm that the firearm seized by police during the arrest of this suspect has been positively linked to the crime scene in Atteridgeville,” she said. On Wednesday, he will appear again before the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court where he is facing 12 counts of murder and 13 counts of attempted murder.Notably, Mathe has indicated that the suspect’s name will not be released until an identity parade is finalised.
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Notably, Mathe has indicated that the suspect’s name will not be released until an identity parade is finalised. Meanwhile, the search is ongoing for two additional suspects with alleged ties to the shooting. Police officials have urged citizens to assist with information that could lead to their capture, while the investigation into the motive behind the attack is still underway.
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