Tense standoff in Polokwane complex ends with arrest
A tense standoff in the Monet Townhouse complex ended with an arrest after a gunman allegedly held his mother hostage inside their home.
POLOKWANE – A quiet Sunday morning in the Monet Townhouse complex was disrupted when a gunman threatened residents, prompting a tense standoff with police and community policing forum members.
Negotiation from over the boundary wall
Police, CPF and Polokwane Buurtwag members arrived on the scene and attempted to negotiate with the suspect, who reportedly held his mother hostage inside their home.
From over the boundary wall, members worked to talk the suspect down. The situation was tense as he shouted back, while residents on the scene ducked for cover in case he began shooting over the wall.
Standoff lasts almost an hour
By the time Review Online arrived at the scene, the standoff had lasted almost an hour.
By the halfway mark, a Nyala arrived and police appeared to prepare to breach the home.
‘They’ve got him’
Witnesses watched as the officer attempting to engage the suspect cautiously unclipped his firearm.
Moments later, a neighbour shouted: “The garage is opening!”
Those on the scene took cover. After a few seconds that felt far longer, the negotiator waved his arms and confirmed: “They’ve got him.”
CPF declined to comment at the time, saying they were gathering information ahead of the suspect’s eventual court appearance.
Review Online will provide further updates as official information becomes available.
