A MAN has been arrested after allegedly holding his family hostage at Wentworth Austerville Drive in the south of Durban on Sunday, 21 December.
Armed Man Demands Entry to Wife's Home
It's alleged that the man who was armed with a gun arrived at the home of his wife with his daughter believed to be 5-year-old and demanded that they open the door and if not, he would shoot.
Apparently, he then held the family hostage, but later he moved to a car with his wife and the daughter where he held them hostage for more hours.
Police Negotiators Resolve Situation Peacefully
But police hostage negotiators and special task force eventually managed to resolve the situation, and the wife and daughter were released peacefully. The man was then arrested.
ALS Paramedics spokesman Garrith Jamieson said authorities locked down the area after the incident unfolded shortly before 6am this morning.
"A gentleman believed to be in his 40s, had taken a child, believed to be approximately five years of age, and his partner hostage," he said.
Suspect Attempts to Flee in Car
Jamieson said they tried to leave a block of flats where the police did manage to stop them.
He added that police negotiators were deployed and remained on scene throughout the morning.
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"A while ago, while on scene, we saw him release a small child into the care of the negotiators. This was followed by his partner and then we did see that he was arrested by all necessary peace forces that were in attendance," he added.
He said no injuries have been reported.
KZN Police Confirm Arrest
KZN police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the matter saying police in KZN have arrested a man believed to be in his early 40s following a hostage situation at Wentworth on Sunday morning.
"Reports indicate that the man snatched his five-year-old daughter from a family member's house where there was a party and took her to another family member's house where he held the child and her mother hostage," he said.
He said the police hostage negotiator, working with other specialised police units, managed to calm the suspect down and both the child and the mother were rescued safely.
