A joint operation between Saps and Mi7 brought a tense hours-long standoff at a business premises in Shelly Beach to a safe conclusion earlier today.

In a statement released by Mi7, it stated:

The Mi7’s Strategic Threat Response Unit (STRU) was requested to assist police after initial reports indicated a possible hostage situation at the premises.

On arrival, responding teams established that no hostages were being held.

Instead, a staff member had barricaded himself inside the management offices after allegedly causing extensive damage to company property, including laptops, computers, printers and television screens.

The man was reportedly armed with a knife, which had been taped to his hand, and allegedly made repeated threats to harm himself and anyone who attempted to approach him.

Responding teams described him as highly aggressive, while efforts to negotiate a peaceful surrender proved unsuccessful.

A tactical breach team was subsequently established, comprising members of Saps Search and Rescue, the Saps K9 Unit and Mi7 STRU. Before any action was taken, the remainder of the building was safely evacuated to remove all staff and members of the public from danger.

The team then breached the management offices and safely arrested the man without injury to any responding personnel or members of the public.

Medical personnel from Med-Evac transported the man to hospital.

The incident has been handed over to Saps for further investigation.

The Southcoast Mall said, at the time of the incident, it was an active police matter and were unable to provide further details at this stage.

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