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Cops called in to free hostages
24/07/2007 19:26 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Police spokesperson Mzukisi Fatyela says it is still not known if the robbers who took people hostage at a Mthatha supermarket earlier in the day were inside the building.
Fatyela said by 19:00 police negotiators had only spoken to hostages who were locked in an office inside the supermarket.
Task force teams from Durban and Pretoria were preparing to enter the building and free the hostages.
Fatyela said according to negotiators, 13 people were being held hostage.
Police believed two armed men, part of a gang that robbed the store around lunchtime, were holding people at gunpoint inside the Boxer Supermarket in Callaway Street.
Fatyela said a pregnant woman, who was in the same building, but not inside the supermarket, was taken to hospital where she would be treated for trauma.
An eyewitness earlier told Sapa that nearly 500 onlookers, including school children, had gathered outside the shop.
A large police contingent surrounded the scene and emergency workers were also present.
Fatyela said a group of about six armed men had robbed the supermarket earlier. Police officers patrolling the area were alerted about the incident.
Four robbers fled in a VW Jetta and police gave chase.
One robber was shot dead and another was arrested a few kilometres from the scene. Two ran away.
Police recovered the getaway car and confiscated two R-5 rifles and two pistols. No money was recovered.
Fatyela said police believed the hostage takers were left behind when the other robbers fled the scene.
- SAPA
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