Fire threat in tense Bay hostage drama

Sbongile Dimbaza HERALD REPORTER

A TENSE, 14-hour standoff between a massive police contingent and an armed hostage-taker in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth, deteriorated late last night when the man threatened to douse his victim‘s house with petrol.

Police negotiators tried in vain to convince the “lovelorn” Uitenhage man to hand himself over after he had taken his girlfriend‘s sister and her two children hostage in Ndlovu Street at 8am.

He had gone to the house early to look for his girlfriend. Later, hundreds of onlookers standing on rooftops and lining the street cheered as one of the hostages escaped unharmed.

A heavy police contingent blockaded all routes leading to the street, with about 21 police vehicles keeping a close watch. A fire engine and ambulance were also dispatched after the man sprinkled the house with petrol.

A woman friend of the suspect, who refused to identify herself, said the man had been living in Uitenhage with his girlfriend.

She said problems had set in after he lost his job and started accusing his girlfriend, Nokhanyiso Pekana, of cheating. On January 26 they had had a fight and he had set her house alight in a rage. Even worse, after the incident he started sending text messages to his relatives and Pekana‘s family, telling them to prepare themselves for the “funeral of the year”.

“He was my friend and this has left me feeling cold. I never took any of his messages seriously because I thought he was being silly.”

Police spokesman Inspector Dumile Gwavu confirmed that one hostage had escaped and his mother and her one- year-old baby were still being held.

During the drama a man tried to enter the house and was restrained by police while they were looking for ways of accessing the house.

Motherwell resident Msimelelo Daka, who attends church with the man‘s girlfriend‘s elder sister, said the man had entered the house just after 8am carrying a firearm.

He had heard that the man had a history of violence as he had allegedly committed a similar crime in Cape Town. “He has always looked normal but what he has done today confirms rumours that he had a history of violence. He appeared to be a nice guy – until now.”

His friend, Xola Goqo of Motherwell, who also attends church with Pekana‘s sister, said the man was a very jealous type as he had always accused Pekana of being a “man-eater”.

Goqo said it had been unfortunate that the man had chosen to “bully” someone who had “respect for herself”.

“I am praying that he does not do anything stupid to the baby and his mom – that would be just too unfortunate.”

Residents at the scene criticised the police for being ineffective. They said the incident had been “poorly” handled as it was clear the man was not giving in.

“People who are threatening other people, especially women and children, should be dealt with severely. Sending in scores of police vans and police officers to deal with one suspect is just too dramatic and stupid,” said Robert Singane, of Motherwell.

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