Man takes daughter hostage

2005-04-23 19:20

Elsies River - A 43-year-old man was arrested after holding his daughter hostage during an apparent case of domestic violence at their house in Ruiterwacht, Elsies River on Saturday.

Western Cape police Superintendent Billy Jones said police responded to a complaint from the suspect's wife .

"On arrival, the complainant, 39, who was standing outside the premises, informed officers that her husband assaulted her and that he was inside the house threatening to harm their three-year-old daughter and damage the property."

Jones said the man threatened police officers not to come closer, otherwise he would harm the child.

Police hostage negotiators were called in to deal with the matter.

"They negotiated for more than two hours with the man, in an attempt to convince him to release the child, but he refused to co-operate."

"The Police Special Task Force members were then requested to proceed with the matter further. They tactically approached the house, went inside and arrested the man."

The child was reunited with her mother unharmed.

They were both taken to the Victim Support Room at Elsies River Police station for trauma counselling.

The man was taken into custody.

He will be charged with domestic violence, abduction and assault. He will appear in The Goodwood Magistrate's Court on Monday."

- SAPA