Tragedy in Pretoria as police constable’s hostage standoff ends in double fatality

Posted on September 10, 2025
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Tragedy in Pretoria as police constable’s hostage standoff ends in double fatality

Zuko Komisa

Image | @kayanews /X
  • A police constable in Pretoria held his family hostage for 15 hours before the standoff ended in a tragic double fatality.
  • The armed officer took his own life, and his 18-year-old nephew was also found dead from gunshot wounds.
  • The incident has raised serious questions about the mental health support available to officers within the South African Police Service.

A 15-hour hostage standoff in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, concluded in a tragic double fatality early today, highlighting the urgent need for better mental health support within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The crisis began yesterday when a 32-year-old police constable, armed and barricaded inside his home, held members of his family hostage. The police constable, had barricaded himself inside a home with his 69-year-old mother and 18-year-old nephew following a family dispute

The motive behind the dispute was a complex family matter involving siblings, financial disagreements, and a demand for a DNA test.

Despite extensive efforts by specialist police negotiators and the elite Special Task Force to de-escalate the situation, the standoff took a devastating turn. The armed officer reportedly took his own life, and his 18-year-old nephew was also found deceased from gunshot wounds.

The incident has sparked renewed conversations about the psychological pressures faced by police officers. Many are now calling for improved mental health services and support systems to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The names of the deceased have not yet been released as the investigation remains ongoing.

Kaya News reporter Pitso Molemane, who broke the story and was first on the scene, spoke to Point of View with Phemelo about the latest.

Listen to the full conversation here:

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