A man has died following a hostage station at the Jane Furse Police Station on March 28.

According to a statement by Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) spokesperson Lizzy Suping, the matter will be investigated by them because the man reportedly died at the hands of police officers.

“It is believed that the man entered the station at around 20:00 and then grabbed a police officer’s firearm from his thigh holster,” Suping explained.

Suping said the officer executed his community service centre (CSC) duties at the time his firearm was taken from him.

“The man then held police members hostage and threatened to kill them. Some of the CSC members were able to inform other police officers about the matter. A hostage negotiator and the Tactical Response Team were called in for backup,” she added and explained the man refused to surrender following requests from the hostage negotiator.

The tactical team is said to have entered the building at that stage. “The man fired shots and police officers retaliated. The deceased is unknown and was found to be in possession of used sachets and an injection with nyaope. An inquest case was opened,” she concluded.