Family Hostage Tragedy in Mamelodi East: Constable Ends Life, Nephew Found Dead

On Tuesday, 9 September 2025, a disturbing hostage situation unfolded in Bufferzone, Mamelodi East, Tshwane, involving a 32-year-old off-duty police constable, Thapelo Mashigo, who held his 69-year-old mother and his 18-year-old nephew captive inside their home.

The ordeal lasted nearly 16 hours, during which police negotiators repeatedly sought to de-escalate the situation. They managed to persuade Mashigo to release his elderly mother safely, but despite these efforts, the crisis ended in tragedy. Around 11:53 pm, a specialized task force entered the household. As they approached the scene, two gunshots rang out. When officers moved in, they discovered that Mashigo had shot himself. Inside the residence, they also found his nephew, who was already dead from gunshot wounds.

Tshwane District Police Commissioner Major-General Samuel Thine confirmed that an inquest has been launched, and investigators are looking into possible evidence such as suicide notes. Authorities have opened cases of murder, kidnapping, and illegal discharge of a firearm, in addition to the statutory inquest.

The constable had joined the police service in 2019 and was stationed at the Boschkop police station, where he worked with the regional Essential Infrastructure Task Team.

This is believed to be an unprecedented type of incident in the Tshwane jurisdiction. In response, Major-General Thine urged officers and staff experiencing family or mental health difficulties to seek help through SAPS Employee Health and Wellness, emphasizing support and pprevention.

Obakeng Ramabodu, Tshwane’s MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management, reflected on the psychological dimensions of the event, noting that when police pressed Mashigo about the location of his nephew, the constable responded, “He is sleeping,” adding poignantly, “You can’t sleep 16 hours.” Ramabodu used this as a reminder of the urgent need to address mental health and depression within the community and safety services.

Summary

• Who: Constable Thapelo Mashigo (32), his 69-year-old mother, and 18-year-old nephew.
• Where: Bufferzone, Mamelodi East, Tshwane.
• When: Tuesday, 9 September 2025; incident concluding late that night.
• What happened: Hostage situation spanning almost 16 hours, ending with Mashigo’s suicide and his nephew’s death.
• Aftermath: Multiple criminal investigations initiated; mental health and institutional support spotlighted.