Durban — A police officer was killed, one was left injured and another traumatised when two unknown gunmen fired at them in uMlazi on Monday night.
According to information from the police, the incident happened around 8pm at Mega City, behind the Caltex garage.
It is alleged that three police officers stationed at uMlazi SAPS were on duty as crime prevention members. While patrolling, they went to McDonald’s to purchase food while driving in a marked state vehicle.
As they arrived at McDonald’s, while still driving, it is alleged that two men “approached them and one of them drew out a firearm and he fired five shots towards the direction members, two shots fatally wounded the driver (a constable).”
One of the bullets injured a constable who was sitting in the front passenger seat. The constable was shot in the shoulder.
“It is alleged that the deceased was a driver and that he managed to drive from where he was shot to the intersection (Mega City robots) where after turning with Mangosuthu Highway, he lost control of the vehicle and (a constable) assisted the deceased by turning the steering wheel,” the information read.
The vehicle reversed until it stopped on the left side of Mega City robots.
The information further alleged that the injured constable was then rushed to the hospital for treatment, while the third police officer did not sustain any injury, however, she is in a state of trauma.
Police information indicates that the driver sustained two gunshot wounds, in the right cheek and neck.
It added that unconfirmed information was that the suspects fled in an unknown direction.
It further alleged that five 9mm spent cartridges were found on the scene.
Police have been approached for comment.
When delivering the quarter one crime statistics 2022/23, Police Minister Bheki Cele said that 18 police officers were killed, 13 fewer than during the same reporting period a year ago.
“Any attack on (a) police officer is an attack on the state and should be condemned from all quarters,” Cele said.
Daily News