KNYSNA NEWS - Learners from Sunridge Primary and Knysna Secondary School were traumatised when an "armed" man, accompanied by a pit bull terrier, entered their school bus after a sports event at Hornlee Primary School on Tuesday 25 April.
Time stood still for the passengers on the bus as the horrifying experience unfolded, and it is uncertain how long it continued before the man was apprehended by police.
"It is alleged that the man attempted to take the security guard hostage. She escaped, but he followed her onto the bus," said Hornlee Primary School deputy principal Anthea Figeland.
"After our netball tournament, an unknown man threatened the security guard with a weapon and then got onto the bus where the learners from Sunridge and Knysna Secondary School were," said The man had allegedly tried to take the security guard hostage in her security booth.
"The woman managed to see an opportunity to escape the potential assailant, and made her way onto the bus.
"The man then followed the woman onto the bus, with his pit bull dog."
The security guard, learners and teachers on the bus were unharmed in the incident.
The teachers from the respective schools have arranged counselling for the learners who experienced the traumatising incident.
According to a report by Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies, Knysna police took a 55-year old man into custody at Wing Street, Hornlee at about 15:30 on Tuesday 25 April.
"Information available suggests that a member of the Knysna Police conducted patrols when he noticed a commotion near the Hornlee Primary School," Spies said.
"Community members alerted him about a man with a firearm in his possession.
"He approached the man and took him into police custody. Police also confiscated an imitation firearm in his possession.
"The suspect is facing charges of possession of imitation firearms and pointing of firearms. He will appear in court once charged."
The security company could not be reached for comment before going to print.
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