A Metro police officer was shot while conducting a routine stop-and-search operation as part of a visible policing exercise on Freedom Drive in Ivory Park Ext 2 on 20 March.
The officer and his colleague asked the driver of a suspicious-looking white bakkie to pull over at about 12.20pm.
When the bakkie pulled over, four male occupants got out of the vehicle. One of the men, who was armed with an R5-automatic rifle, starting shooting at the officers. The officers retaliated, returning fire with their 9mm service pistols.
Read Metro police officer shot during a roadblock in Ivory Park Ext 2
During the exchange, one officer was shot in his arm and leg. The suspects then fled the scene. The vehicle in which they were travelling was later recovered at the Tembisa hostel.
“This is the second incident during the past month where gunmen opened fire on JMPD officers with R5 automatic rifles. It is a cause for concern that criminals in the City are so heavily armed,” said MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun.
“During further investigation, it was revealed that the suspects had also robbed a business in the vicinity where the officers were conducting the stop-and-search operation.”
Chief Superintendent, Wayne Minnaar of Metro police condemned the crime. He said the search operation to find the suspects is in progress. “It’s sad that officers are being shot while doing their jobs. We are searching for the suspects in conjunction with our police colleagues. Leads are being followed [in the hope that arrests will be made].
“The [injured] officer is being treated at Sunninghill Hospital and is in a stable condition.”
Sun vowed that the visible policing efforts will continue. He called on members of the public to contact the office of the MMC if they have any information that can help the police in their investigation.
Details: If you have any information relating to this incident, contact the office of the MMC for Public Safety on 011 375 5911.
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