‘My job as a hostage and suicide negotiator is fulfilling but also soul-crushing'

News24

27-06-2025

Growing up in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) in the Eastern Cape, Tramaine Fredericks (34) always dreamt of serving her country.
After high school she applied to study law but wasn't accepted, so she pursued a degree in human resources at Nelson Mandela University.
During her internship at Humewood police station in 2012, a captain encouraged her to join the SAPS – which she did.
Six years into her service with the Rapid Rail unit, Tramaine challenged herself by training as a hostage and suicide negotiator.
Now, with nerves of steel and a calm demeanour, she coaxes those on the brink of ending their lives or contends with hostage situations as one of the Eastern Cape's youngest hostage and suicide negotiators.
This is her story.
'I was very hesitant at first to join the SAPS, but when a post became available a few months later, I applied.
I then went to Bisho Academy to do my basic training. A year later, in 2013, I was placed at New Brighton police station for my probation. This is when my love for working in the force started because I began working a lot with the community. I loved that I could assist.
In 2014 I had my final placement in the Rapid Rail Unit. Back then we worked at the Shosholoza Mail – the trains that travelled from Gqeberha to Johannesburg.
I had been in the SAPS for six years in 2020 when I decided I needed to upgrade my skills – I believe you shouldn't be complacent at work.
So I set my sights on the basic hostage and suicide negotiator course.
Before enrolling I spoke to other negotiators who told me it was a very male-dominated and dangerous field, but I've always loved a challenge.
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For three weeks I underwent an intense process that included interviews, psychometric tests and training.
After completing the programme I continued working in the Rail Rapid Department, but I'm now also on call every three weeks as a hostage and suicide negotiator.
Since joining the negotiating team I've responded to many calls, but two specific ones come to mind.
One incident took place in 2020, a few weeks after completing the course. I was called to attend to a woman who wanted to slit her wrists and end her life.
I remember getting to her home and sitting on the ground next to her. As I was speaking to her, she was nodding, and I eventually managed to talk her out of it. It was the most rewarding experience because it was one of my first incidents.
To this day, when I see her in the neighbourhood, she tells me I made her realise there is more to live for and that she's never had suicidal thoughts again.
The Eastern Cape is known as one of the highest kidnapping provinces, so I have worked on a few high-profile kidnapping cases.
There was one in April when a Chinese national was kidnapped while travelling to his business in Kariega. I worked on this case for a week, dealing with the family and trying to keep them calm during the ordeal.
Fortunately we found the victim after a few days of negotiating for the ransom to be dropped.
Although I love what I do, it's not always easy. I'm human, and I have emotions.
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To decompress, we are offered therapy, but I usually enjoy going hiking to clear my mind, or I take short trips.
My other function in the SAPS is as a trainer. I help train new students who join the academy, teaching them about using firearms, legal principles and tactical movements.
In my 13 years in the SAPS, being a negotiator has been one of the best decisions I've made, but it can also be soul-crushing.'