Members of Reaction Unit South Africa were dispatched to a housing complex in Waterloo – Verulam after receiving a call from a woman requesting assistance after her son had threatened to attack her family with a panga.
Upon arrival the elderly woman, her daughter and grandchild as well as several residents within the complex were found standing outside the home.
She informed Reaction Officers that her son was suspected of being bipolar and had hacked the front door of the home with a panga. He also destroyed several items inside the home during a fit of rage.
Reaction Officers found the teenager seated on a flight of stairs leading to the upper level of the home. He was still armed with the panga. Officers from the Verulam SAPS arrived on scene and after a brief negotiation the weapon was handed over.
According to family the teenager has a history of violence. He stabbed his sister during an argument last month. Today he threatened to kill the family after his friend allegedly questioned his sexuality.
The boy was transported to hospital for psychiatric evaluation.
Bipolar Teen Threatens Family With Panga, Verulam https://t.co/nG72RDc830 #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/Lj8h89oqJr
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) September 18, 2017