Tshwane constable who held family captive shoots nephew (18) before killing himself

JOHANNESBURG - A family hostage situation in Tshwane has ended in tragedy after a constable who held his family members captive for hours shot his teenage nephew before turning the gun on himself.

Thapelo Mashego, 32, held his mother and nephew hostage for over 16 hours on Tuesday in Mamelodi, east of the capital.

After hours of negotiations, the constable released his mother, who was given medical attention, but police said upon entry into the house, they found the constable and his 18-year-old nephew dead with gunshot wounds.

When Mashego first held his mother and two nephews hostage at around 8 am on Tuesday morning, none of them knew that the situation would still be unfolding 16 hours later.

Police said one of the nephews, a 14-year-old, managed to escape the house, leaving Mashego’s 69-year-old mother and 18-year-old nephew inside.

Tshwane district commissioner Major General Samuel Thine said South African Police Service (SAPS) negotiators spent the day trying to convince Mashego to release the hostages and surrender.

“In the process while the team was approaching, just before they entered the house, two shots were heard and as they checked inside the house, it was found that the constable has taken his own life.”

He said it’s unclear when the 18-year-old was shot, but officers suspect it may have been earlier in the day.

Police said it’s unclear how many bullet wounds Mashego’s nephew incurred but that will be part of the investigation.