Durban - A brave police officer who single-handedly took on five armed thieves and was injured in the shoot-out, has been praised by KwaZulu-Natal acting provincial commissioner, Major-General Bhekinkosi Langa.
The unnamed officer was walking along Josiah Gumede Road in Pinetown on his way to work early on Sunday when he saw a burglary in progress at a motor vehicle dealership in the central business district.
He spotted at least five suspects inside the premises stealing equipment, as well as a suspicious-looking white Mercedes-Benz, with its doors open, parked nearby.
When he approached the suspects, they allegedly opened fire and he returned fire, said KZN police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane.
The officer was injured in his left hand index finger and taken to hospital.
The suspects fled in their vehicle, taking computers. Charges of attempted murder and business burglary have been opened.
Later yesterday, Langa said the suspects were still at large.
He vowed that “our police officers, assisted by crime intelligence, will work around the clock” to track them down.