A 34-year-old police officer was fatally shot when suspects opened fire at the police vehicle in Lavender Hill, Western Cape police said on Tuesday.
According to police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Andrè Traut, on Monday evening at around 11.15pm, two members attached to the Steenberg Crime Prevention Unit approached five suspects at Fawley Court, Lavender Hill, who fled on the arrival of police.
“”During the pursuit of the suspects, they opened fire at the police vehicle in Grindel Crescent and wounded the driver, a 34-year old-sergeant.”
The sergeant succumbed to his injuries in hospital, while his partner, a constable, escaped the attack unharmed,”
Last year SAPS revealed that most police members killed on-duty were attached to the Visible Policing Unit, who were often as first responders.
The provincial police management expressed condolences to the family and colleagues of the member who died while protecting the community and assured them that every endeavor would be made to apprehend the suspects so that they can be prosecuted with the full might of the law, Traut said.
More: news24
