A 64-year-old man has been arrested after stabbing one person in the stomach with a broken garden scissor and injuring the victim’s family while holding them hostage.
Police say they were called to a place in Verkeerdevlei on Wednesday evening where a person had been stabbed in the stomach.
Upon arrival, they found a 53-year-old man who had been stabbed in the stomach with the broken scissor.
The suspect had already fled the scene.
“The victim was taken to hospital for medical treatment,” said Captain Stephen Thakeng in a brief statement.
Further investigations revealed that the same suspect went to the house of the victim’s 36-year-old daughter house where he held her and her two children – aged 13 and 15 – hostage.
“Tactical Response Team (TRT) members from Park Road were activated at about 21:30 and it was realised that the suspect was holding (the family) hostage in a three-roomed shack,” said Thakeng.
“The TRT members gained entry into the shack and rescued the three from the suspect.
“The three victims were also stabbed with the same half part of the big scissor.”
The suspect is facing a charge of attempted murder and three counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He will appear in the Verkeerdevlei Magistrates Court soon.
Meanwhile, a man believed to be terrorising tuckshop owners around Bothaville was arrested on Wednesday following a tip-off by community members.
Police say they received information about a man with a firearm and who might be involved in robberies of tuck shops of foreign nationals at about 16:30.
The suspect’s house in Kgotsong was identified and members of Bothaville Crime Prevention approached it and asked for permission to search the place.
They were granted permission and a 9mm pistol was found and a 27-year-old man from Potchefstroom was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm.
The suspect will appear in the Bothaville Magistrates Court soon. – Staff Reporter