By Lungi Langa
A Verulam man who held his wife’s relatives hostage after suspecting her of cheating has died after shooting himself.
The 65-year-old man from Mountview, in KwaZulu-Natal, who allegedly held the family hostage for at least six hours, is said to have shot himself in the chest after speaking to his wife on the phone.
Private security company, Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesperson, Prem Balram says they were called in to intervene before 1pm on Tuesday after the man entered the home of his relatives and held them hostage.
In the house, there was a 68-year-old woman, her 38-year-old daughter, as well as her 18- year-old and 12-year-old grandchildren.
Balram says on arrival, Rusa reaction officers learned that the gunman had shot the 18-year- old. He says 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 on his left hand. He was treated for a gunshot wound by Rusa paramedics at a safe location while the area remained locked down,” said Balram.
Balram says the man suspected his wife of cheating. He also believed that the 38-year-old woman he was holding hostage was aware of the relationship and was in support of it.
“The unemployed truck driver requested that his wife be transported to the scene and allowed to enter the home,” says Balram.
Reaction officers denied his request as they believed that he intended to shoot her. Balram says it has been confirmed that the suspect did not own a licensed firearm.
A hostage negotiator from the South African Police Service (SAPS) attempted to de-escalate the situation while the members of the SAPS Special Task Force (STF) surrounded the house.
Balram says the police managed to breach the front door after 6pm on Monday. That’s when they found the body of the suspect in one of the bedrooms with a gunshot wound to his chest.
Balram says Rusa medics examined the man who was declared deceased at 18:19pm.
“According to one of the victims, the suspect spoke to his wife telephonically before he proceeded into the bedroom. They heard a gunshot shortly thereafter. The three hostages were traumatised.
No further injuries were reported,” says Balram.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda says the police had opened an inquest after a 65-year-old man allegedly shot himself during a hostage situation.
Pictured above: Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) officers and police had to intervene when a man held his relatives hostage.
Image source: Rusa
