On Tuesday, 9 September 2025, a tense hostage situation unfolded in the Buffer Zone of Mamelodi East, Tshwane, drawing national concern. Around 8:00 am, a 32-year-old off-duty police constable, stationed at Boschkop Police Station and attached to the essential infrastructure task team, allegedly held his family members captive inside their home—specifically, his 69-year-old mother, an 18-year-old nephew, and another young boy.
Initial reports reveal that the constable fired two shots prior to the arrival of first responders, heightening fears and prompting the deployment of SAPS hostage negotiators and a Special Task Force at the scene.
The situation remained at a standoff for nearly 16 hours. Negotiators, led by Tshwane District Police Commissioner Major-General Samuel Thine, maintained efforts to coax the constable into surrendering. During the ordeal, the constable briefly released his mother, seemingly offering a glimmer of hope that the situation could be resolved without further tragedy.
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However, at approximately 11:53 pm, a tactical team made a move to enter the house. During this final attempt, two shots were heard—one was tragically confirmed to have come from the constable himself, who had shot and killed his 18-year-old nephew before taking his own life. Emergency personnel then transported the constable’s mother to hospital after administering on-scene treatment.
Major-General Thine described the incident as “disturbing” and noted that all possible avenues had been explored to avoid loss of life. This remains the first incident of its kind recorded in Tshwane. An official investigation is now underway, covering multiple charges—murder, kidnapping, illegal discharge of a firearm, and an inquest into the deaths.
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MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management, Obakeng Ramabodu, emphasized the broader implications of the tragedy. Addressing mental health concerns, he underlined the pressure many law enforcement officers face and urged colleagues to access SAPSEmployee Health and Wellness services when needed. The motive, investigators suspect, may have stemmed from a family dispute, though official confirmation remains pending.
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