CAPE TOWN – An attempted armed robbery at a supermarket in Nyanga, Cape Town has turned into a hostage situation.

At least one person has been injured and several employees are being held inside.

Police say the area has been cordoned off. A special task team is on standby.

#NyangaHeist a number of retail store employees are still inside kept hostage. #eNCA

— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) May 1, 2017

A hostage negotiator is at the scene.

#NyangaHeist a 25 year old a security guard has been wounded. #eNCA

— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) May 1, 2017

Earlier, the Nyanga junction shopping centre and surrounding roads were cordoned off as Cape Town police and metro officers engaged in a standoff with armed robbers inside a Shoprite store on Monday.

Gyselaarsdrama by Nyanga Junction winkelsentrum in Manenberg. Vier gewapende mans hou bestuurder van Shoprite aan. @MaygeneD pic.twitter.com/FvpAlJjixc

— Netwerk24 Berig (@Netwerk24Berig) May 1, 2017

According to City of Cape Town mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, their metro officers were deployed to the scene.

READ: Western Cape authorities under pressure to halt spate of mall robberies

The robbers, said Smith, fired at the City’s officers as well as members of the South African Police Service. He confirmed one security guard had been shot.

@Artii_M Cash-in-transit heist at Shoprite in Nyanga Junction.Police officer wounded. Robbers holding hostage staff. pic.twitter.com/h4gAsKH0kL

— Gcobani Gqibelo (@GcobaniGqibelo) May 1, 2017

• This is a developing story. Further information will be published as it becomes available.

#sapsWC #SAPS specialised units on premises after attempted robbery became hostage situation @ #NyangaJunction SD pic.twitter.com/RX8YptXuVE

— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) May 1, 2017

We condemn mall robberies – criminals must not hijack public spaces our people use. Nyanga Junction is under police presence

— RSA Min of Police (@MbalulaFikile) May 1, 2017

African News Agency