The South African Police Service Free State Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia has commended the professionalism displayed by police officials, after successfully resolving a hostage situation that involves a police officer on Sunday in Jacobsdal, without further loss of life.
Police Spokesperson Thabo Covane said that the incident unfolded at about 11:45 in Ratanang Township, where the law officials responded to reports of a hostage situation.
“Upon arrival, preliminary information was gathered, indicating that a 25-year-old female had allegedly been shot in the shoulder by a 28-year-old police constable stationed in Hanover, Northern Cape,” said Covane.
Covane confirmed that hostage negotiators engaged with the suspect for several hours, resulting to a successful effort to bring the volatile situation to an unharmed conclusion.
“At approximately 20:25, the suspect surrendered his service pistol and handed himself over to the police without further loss of life.
“Emergency medical personnel attended to the injured victim, who was subsequently transported to a hospital in Kimberley for further medical treatment,” said Covane.
Covane further said that police have registered cases of kidnapping and attempted murder.
“The suspect, a police constable, was arrested and is expected to appear before the Jacobsdal Magistrate’s Court soon,” he said.
Free State Police Commissioner Lieutenant
General Thabang Lesia said that the collaborated intervention by the law enforcers demonstrate the worth of disciplined policing and hostage negotiation.
“This incident demonstrates the importance of professional hostage negotiation, patience and a coordinated multidisciplinary response when dealing with volatile and potentially life-threatening situations. The successful resolution of this incident, without further loss of life, is a commendable achievement.
“We also wish the injured victim a speedy recovery. At the same time, the suspect will face the full might of the law, and the circumstances surrounding this incident will be thoroughly investigated. SAPS members are equally subject to the law, and any allegations of criminal conduct will be dealt with through due process,” Lesia concluded.
