A 16-hour Mamelodi hostage standoff ended in a murder-suicide when a 32-year-old police constable turned his state-issued firearm on his own family. Constable Thapelo Mashego, who was off duty, killed his 18-year-old nephew before shooting himself inside a house in the Buffer Zone area of Mamelodi East, Tshwane.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili, the ordeal began on Tuesday morning at around 08:00 (SAST) when Mashego allegedly fired two shots before officers arrived. Family members, including his mother and nephew, were held inside the house as police negotiators and the SAPS Special Task Force attempted to defuse the situation peacefully.
How the standoff unfolded
Police said Mashego fired several more shots between 07:00 and midnight on Wednesday as negotiations continued.
His mother was released at around 23:00 (SAST) and taken to hospital for treatment and trauma counselling.
Tshwane District Commander, Major General Samuel Thine, explained what happened in the final moments:
“As members of the Special Task Force were about to enter, two shots rang out inside. Mashego killed his 18-year-old nephew and then himself.”
He said investigators were still trying to confirm whether the teenager had been shot earlier in the day or shortly before the officer’s death.
Family dispute at the centre
Relatives told police that a personal dispute may have triggered the hostage crisis. Mashego’s uncle, Steve Mphela, revealed that the officer had accused his fiancée of being unfaithful with his older brother and a police colleague.
In a voice note shared during negotiations, Mashego reportedly expressed doubts about the paternity of a child he believed to be his, saying he feared the child was fathered by his brother.
Police believe these suspicions may have contributed to the violent incident, though the investigation is ongoing.
Police have opened cases of murder, kidnapping, and discharging a firearm in a residential area. An inquest docket has also been registered to investigate Mashego’s death.
Major General Thine described the case as “deeply disturbing,” adding:
“We tried all means to protect lives during the 16-hour standoff. Such cases can be avoided. There is help for distressed officers, and we encourage our members to use health and wellness resources.”
Residents of Mamelodi East gathered near the scene throughout the day, though police urged them to keep a safe distance. Authorities said their priority was to protect lives and prevent the standoff from escalating into further bloodshed.
The SAPS confirmed that specialist teams, including negotiators, were on standby for hours before the fatal conclusion. Despite their efforts, Mashego refused to cooperate.