The hostage taker at Montevideo Primary School in the Cape Town suburb of Montana has been shot dead, police confirmed shortly after noon on Thursday.
Police spokesperson Captain William Reid said the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) will supervise the follow-up investigation.
Reid said the unidentified man arrived at the school at about 7.45am on Thursday.
”He sent someone to call a teacher. When she appeared, he shot the teacher in the left shoulder,” he said.
Earlier reports identified the teacher as Joy van Hefer (38).
The man then took a child hostage.
”A situation occurred where there was fear for the life of the child. The police were called in an dealt with the situation,” Reid said. ”Shortly before noon, shots were fired and the suspect was shot dead.”
The injured teacher was taken to hospital, and the child was rescued unharmed.
Reid said the ICD will oversee the investigation and will answer all further questions.
Reid declined to say whether the man was, in fact, a police officer and whether the child was related to him.
ICD spokesperson Steve Mabona was not immediately able to comment.
It was reported earlier that the teacher was in a satisfactory condition at a hospital.
Western Cape education minister Cameron Dugmore, has expressed his shock at the incident. — Sapa