Durban – KwaZulu-Natal police have confirmed that they are investigating after an elderly man held his family hostage, shot a relative and later killed himself.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said Verulam police were investigating cases of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition following an incident in which a 65-year-old man allegedly shot himself during a hostage situation in Mountview, Verulam, on Tuesday afternoon.
“It is reported that the suspect went to a family of his in-laws and held four people hostage in what is suspected to be a domestic matter. One captive, an 18-year-old boy, managed to escape but was shot in the arm, allegedly by the suspect,” he said.
After a lengthy negotiation for the safe release of the captives, a shot was heard inside the house and when the police got into the room they found the man lying in a pool of blood with a gun next to him, Netshiunda said.
Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram said that allegations of infidelity had reportedly led to the hostage situation at Jacaranda Avenue that lasted nearly six hours.
Balram said residents contacted Rusa at 12.46pm after a 65-year-old man entered a relative's residence near his home and held a 68-year-old woman, her 38-year-old daughter and 18- and 12-year-old grandsons hostage.
He said that Rusa officers arrived at the scene and learnt that the man had shot the 18-year-old.
“Officers surrounded the house and negotiated the release of the injured teenager. The man complied and allowed the male to exit the house. He was shot in his left hand. He was treated for a gunshot wound by Rusa paramedics at a safe location while the area remained locked down,” Balram said.
He said that according to the hostage taker, he suspected his wife of having an affair. He believed the 38-year-old woman hostage knew about the relationship. The unemployed truck driver had asked that his wife be brought to the scene and allowed to enter the home but his request was denied by law enforcement.
He said a hostage negotiator from the SAPS tried to defuse the situation while members of the SAPS Special Task Force took up positions around the home.
“At 6.12pm, SAPS officials breached the front door,” Balram said.
The suspect’s body was found in a bedroom with a bullet wound in his chest.
He said that Rusa medics examined the man and declared him dead at 6.19pm.
Balram said that according to one of the victims, the suspect spoke to his wife on the phone before he went into the bedroom. They heard a shot soon afterwards.
Daily News