Gunmen attacked a dormitory in the South African capital, Pretoria, on Saturday, killing 11 people, including a three-year-old boy, police said.

Police spokeswoman Ethelenda Mathe confirmed that 25 people were shot in the attack, adding that 14 people had been taken to hospital. 

Ten people died at the scene and one died in hospital in the attack in Saulsville township, 18 kilometres west of Pretoria, he said. 

Three gunmen entered the dormitory at 4:30am and opened fire on a group of men. 

He said the motive for the shooting was not yet known and no one had been arrested.  

South Africa, South Africa's most industrialised nation, is struggling with organised crime and corruption.

Many people in the country own licensed firearms for personal protection, but many illegal guns are in circulation. 

Police say about 63 people died every day from April to September due to attacks.