A 51-year-old Cape Town police officer is in stable condition in hospital after suspects opened fire at police who responded to a robbery in Mnixi Street, Nyanga, on Friday.
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According to Western Cape police spokesperson Andrè Traut, the colonel was shot in the leg while he and three of his colleagues were doing crime prevention patrols in Browns Farm at around 3:50pm on Friday when they were alerted of an armed robbery on Mnixi Street.
‘They immediately responded and approached the beverage delivery vehicle, which was the target of the robbery. Upon arriving at the crime scene, the suspects fled on foot with police in pursuit,’ Traut said.
According to police, one of the suspects opened fire at the police members and wounded the Colonel.
The 38-year-old suspect was subsequently chased by police, where he was arrested and disarmed. ‘The other suspects managed to evade arrest and are being sought,’ Traut added.
The arrested suspect is scheduled to make his court appearance in Athlone on charges of attempted murder, possessing an unlicensed firearm and armed robbery. ‘The wounded member was admitted to hospital, and he is currently in stable condition,’ Traut said.
Police have issued a stern warning to criminals who attack SAPS members.
‘SAPS will not tolerate an attack on our members. We will use all our resources to bring perpetrators to book so that they can face the consequences in a court of law,’ Traut added.
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