EMPLOYEE SHOOTS HIMSELF IN PARLIAMENT

According to a statement released by Parliament on Friday afternoon, a parliamentary official has taken his own life at the parliament buildings.

The statement by Moloto Mothapo for Parliament reads, "Parliament’s Presiding Officers are shocked and saddened at the passing away this morning (Friday) of a parliamentary official who allegedly took his own life at Parliament."

"The incident has, obviously, caused trauma and distress among Parliament's members of staff and the institution as a whole. Necessary assistance is being arranged to help them to come to terms with the tragedy."

According to the statement, parliament is in the process of informing the deceased official’s next of kin while presiding officers Baleka Mbete and Thandi Modise prepare to visit the family.

Scores of shocked parliamentary officials gathered outside in the precinct as the drama unfolded, expressing shock and concern regarding how a firearm entered the precinct.

According to IOL, an insider said, "the man, from the Eastern Cape, is believed to have entered the building through the underground parking.

"Because he's a senior manager security down there is quite lax and that's possibly how he could have slipped through the gun."

The man, who is said to be in his fifties, shot himself in his office on the second floor of the 90 Plein Street building, apparently after his contract for employment was not been renewed.

Paramedics confirmed that the man had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Another staffer told IOL that "the man's manager, with whom he had a grievance, was not present at the office. If he had been there, there could possibly have been a bloodbath."

Police and paramedics are still on the scene conducting forensic tests.

Mothapo added, "Further details will be provided once the family has been informed."

Incident at 90 Plein Street building on Parliamentary complex, ambulances and police. Unconfirmed reports of a man wielding a gun, threatening suicide @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/g5hSXAzDmG

— Jan Gerber (@gerbjan) September 14, 2018