Gunman dead after 24-hour standoff with police on Robertson farm

A two-day standoff between police and an armed man on a farm in De Hoop, Robertson, in the Western Cape, has ended with the gunman being shot dead and a police officer injured.

The confrontation began on Sunday evening, 16 August, after Robertson police received a complaint about a man who had allegedly fired shots at a neighbour’s vehicle.

Came under fire

When officers responded to the complaint, they came under fire from the gunman and called for backup.

The situation subsequently escalated, prompting the deployment of the South African Police Service’s Tactical Response Team (TRT).

The TRT members also came under fire during the operation, with one police officer sustaining a gunshot wound to the shoulder.

The injured officer was taken to hospital, where he remains under medical care.

Special Task Force deployed

As the standoff continued into Monday, police escalated the operation and deployed members of the Special Task Force (STF).

A heavy exchange of gunfire followed after the gunman opened fire on STF members.

A police armoured Nyala vehicle was damaged during the confrontation.

During the operation, STF members also rescued two women who were inside a neighbouring house.

Police eventually gained entry to the house where the 40-year-old suspect was located.

The gunman was shot during the ensuing exchange of gunfire and died at the scene.

Weapons and ammunition seized

Police subsequently seized a cache of weapons and ammunition from the scene.

The items recovered included:

• An assault rifle
• A shotgun
• Two pistols
• Magazines
• Various types of ammunition
• Flags
• Notebooks containing inscriptions

An inquest docket has been opened as part of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) officials were also summoned to the scene.

Police said a strong law-enforcement presence remains on the farm while further investigations continue.