A 40-year-old man, allegedly wielding various firearms, has been killed after a day-long standoff with police in Robertson. 

According to the Western Cape SAPS, officers were called out to a farm in De Hoop on Sunday evening after a gunman shot at a neighbour’s vehicle.  

Officers then came under fire when they arrived on the scene, with the police’s Tactical Response Team (TRT) called in to defuse the situation.   

Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said one of the members of the TRT was also shot at and injured.  

“One police official [suffered an] injury to his shoulder. He was hospitalised and is receiving medical attention.” 

Hours later, on Monday afternoon, a Special Task Force (STF) was deployed, but the exchange of fire continued. 

“A heavy gun battle ensued as the gunman shot at STF members damaging a police armoured vehicle (Nyala),” read the SAPS statement.  

By Monday evening, STF members went to a neighbouring house, rescued the two women inside, and used that access to get closer to the 40-year-old gunman. He was then shot.  

“…with STF members tactfully gaining entry to the house where the gunman was. He was shot in the shootout and died on the scene,” said Potelwa.  

Upon further investigation of the crime scene, detectives found various types of ammunition, magazines, flags and notebooks with inscriptions as well as various firearms, including an assault rifle, a shotgun and two pistols. All the items were seized.  

Potelwa noted that the police watchdog, IPID, was called to the scene, and that an inquest docket was opened for further investigation. 

“Police still continue to maintain a strong presence on the farm and further investigations continue.”