Johannesburg - Gauteng detectives, who were investigating the early Tuesday morning murder of 30-year-old police constable Akani Brondly Mongwe, have made seven arrests.
Spokesperson Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said in the early hours of Tuesday two constables from Dobsonville, Soweto, were conducting patrols in Braamfischerville when they were shot at by men armed with pistols and rifles. The constables were both wounded in the shooting.
"The police officers managed to summon backup and a K9 unit responded. The members from the K9 unit also came under fire from the gunmen which resulted in a shootout," said Dlamini.
"The suspects tried to escape in two vehicles and one of the cars crashed into a house; the suspects jumped out of the cars and fled on foot. One suspect was shot and killed during an exchange of gunfire."
Police arrested seven people and recovered three unlicensed firearms - all handguns. They also impounded two vehicles. Police are still looking for two more people thought to have been involved in the murder of the police officer.
Dlamini said both wounded constables were taken to hospital, but Mongwe later succumbed to his injuries. He said police later discovered that the armed gang had bombed an ATM at a service station in Braamfischerville.
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Deliwe de Lange said: "The arrest of these suspects brings a relief to the provincial management, the member’s family and his colleagues as well as the local community.Police will never rest until all the police killers are brought to book”.
The suspects aged between 20 and 45 will to appear at the Protea Magistrate Court on Wednesday, where they will face charges of murder, attempted murder, business robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms.