Cheating and Paternity Revelation Allegedly Behind Fatal Mamelodi SAPS Hostage Situation
- A hostage situation in Mamelodi East, Tshwane, involving a police officer had a brutal end after a 16-hour stand-off
- A family member revealed that the officer, who held his family hostage, discovered that the child he thought was his belonged to a close relative
- South Africans mourned the death and lamented the damaging consequences of infidelity in relationships
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Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered a range of criminal activities, including cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, taxi violence, police investigations, police shootouts, and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.
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MAMELODI EAST, GAUTENG — A family member of the South African Police Service (SAPS) constable who killed his nephew and himself after a 16-hour hostage stand-off in Mamelodi on 9 September 2025 revealed that infidelity may have driven him off the edge.
According to IOL, Constable Thapelo Mashego held his mother and nephew hostage for hours after he allegedly found out that the child he thought was his was actually his brother's child. His uncle, Steve Mphela, said Mashego revealed the devastating discovery to him.
Mashego also reportedly believed that his mother knew about the affair his brother allegedly had with his girlfriend and that he had impregnated her. This, he believed, may have been the final straw that pushed him over the edge.
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What happened during the Mamelodi hostage situation?
The hostage situation began in the morning of 9 September. The hostage stand-off lasted until the evening when hostage negotiators convinced Mashego to release his hostages. Moments after releasing his mother, the police heard gunshots and forcefully entered the house. There, they found Mashego and his nephew with gunshot wounds.
Fannie Masemola weighs in
The National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, urged members of the police force to use the SAPS in-house mental health services, which provide counselling and trauma briefing. He said the force is doing all it can to ensure mental health and well-being are prioritised. Masemola called on members to prioritise their health and mental well-being by undergoing health screenings, regular check-ups, and attending debriefing sessions.
Incidents of this kind are unfortunately not that rare. In July this year, a Johannesburg-based police officer killed his girlfriend and her brother before killing himself. The incident happened during a birthday celebration he held in his girlfriend's honour. The circumstances leading to the shooting remain unclear.
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What did South Africans say?
South Africans commenting on Facebook discussed the alleged motive behind the hostage situation.
Kevin G Govender asked:
"But why did he kill his nephew?"
Nesbert Gomo said:
"Women! I'm afraid of them, but even more afraid of those who stand by them."
Clayton Soya Yiyo said:
"We are the most evil creatures under the sun."
Tshepo Tika Motaung said:
"Where is the culprit who committed paternity fraud?"
Lorraine Slippers said:
"Poor child lost his life for adults' nonsense."
Johannesburg cop kills girlfriend, himself
In a related article, Briefly News reported that a police constable reportedly shot his girlfriend before taking his own life in Doornfontein in March 2025. The officer was stationed at the Parkview Police Station.
The officer was off duty when the incident occurred. The motive behind the killing is not known. His girlfriend survived the incident.
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Proofreading by Roxanne Dos Ramos, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
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