THE Minister of Defence Thandi Modise, deputy minister Thabang Makwetla and Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele were rescued by the South African Police and special forces after they were held hostage by liberation struggle war veterans at St George Hotel in Irene, outside Pretoria.
The war veterans, who are protesting against the government’s failure to pay them reparations, were meeting Modise and other government ministers at the St George Hotel.
The war veterans blocked the exit of the meeting venue after accusing Modise and other government ministers of not adequately addressing their grievances, according to Gungubele in a video statement.
Police had to break down the doors, fired stun grenades into the venue where ministers were being held hostage.
Ministers were then ushered to safety and whisked away by Special Forces.
Police have reportedly made several arrests and about eight war veterans were taken to hospital.
The hostage
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