Voortrekker Road in Bellville has been closed in both directions between Durban Road and AJ West Road after a lone gunman entered Bellville’s Capitec Bank on Wednesday afternoon.

South African Police Services spokesperson, Lt Andre Traut, has refuted claims that this is a hostage situation. “This is not a hostage situation. We are negotiating with him to surrender,” he told News24.

There are many rumours circulating on social media, including that the gunman is upset that he lost money in a scam or that he was fed up with back queues.

Traut revealed that the man has made a demand of the bank, but did not clarify on what exactly this means.

“We are here for the man’s safety,” he said.

Pictures: Supplied

 

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Lucinda is a hard news writer who occasionally dabbles in lifestyle writing, and recent journalism graduate. She is a proud intersectional feminist, and is passionate about actively creating a world which is free of discrimination and inequality.