The Boksburg police are investigating a case of attempted murder after one of their own was shot while on the heels of a wanted suspect.
According to the Boksburg SAPS spokesperson, Const Ntsako Ledwaba, the member of the Reiger Park SAPS Tracing Unit was shot on January 7 in Angelo informal settlement.
He was transported to hospital for treatment.
The police said, along with his four colleagues, the officer, who is recovering from surgery, had been following up on information with regards to the whereabouts of a wanted suspect for robberies.
This included the recent robbery at the Knights Railway Station where security guards were disarmed of their firearms and another robbery case reported in Limpopo.
“Information led officers to the informal settlement, but the suspect reportedly started to open fire on the approaching police officers.
“A bullet struck the officer in the thigh. He, along with the other officers, reportedly took cover and returned fire,” said Ledwaba.
The suspect managed to flee the scene before additional officers arrived, and is still at large.
Police have not indicated if the suspect suffered any gunshot wounds.
Police linked the suspect to other gun-related crimes in different areas in Boksburg.
Some residents reported hearing the shots but said they knew few details about what was going on.
The injured officer was still in hospital on Thursday afternoon, but he was, according to the police, making “a remarkable recovery”.
“We received encouraging information from the doctors that makes us believe that he will recover from the injury,” said the Reiger Park SAPS spokesperson Const Jan Mokwana.
The officer, his name known to the Advertiser, is described as a team member who does whatever it takes to keep communities safe.
The Reiger Park police said their thoughts and prayers were with their injured colleague as he continues to receive care, and recovers in hospital.
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