Johannesburg - There was chaos in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, on Tuesday when a suspected criminal attacked police officers, stabbing one and shooting three before committing suicide.
According to Warrant Officer Moses Maphakela, the 45-year-old man was wanted in connection with a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. He had allegedly hit a relative on the head with a steel bar.
The two had been staying together for some time until the man allegedly told the relative to leave. When the relative refused, the two got into the fight which resulted in the relative being badly injured when the man allegedly hit him on the head.
“He then fled the area. We have been looking for him all this time and yesterday got a tip-off that he was in back in the area,” Maphakela said.
The officers allegedly confronted the man as he walked down the street and an argument ensued.
Maphakela said the man then stabbed one of the officers and disarmed him.
He then fled into one asmall passage The officers pursed him but he shot at them, injuring one.
They called for back-up but continued after the man.
Back-up arrived and the shooting continued. Another two officers were shot.
However, when the man realised that he was being cornered he shot himself in the head, Maphakela said.
The man died at the scene and the officers were taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Maphakela said the man had had trouble with the law before.
“He was once arrested for malicious damage to property after damaging a police vehicle. In November last year he got into the police station and started stoning a police vehicle that was parked there. He fled and the police went after him and arrested him.
“Other cases against him include public drinking, being the possession of dagga and public urination,” Maphakela said.
Gauteng Community Safety MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane has condemned the attack on the officers.
“Any threat to the lives of our law enforcement officers will be met with even more force. This will send a strong message to the would-be perpetrators that such atrocities cannot be tolerated in our country. On behalf of the Gauteng provincial government I would like to wish the injured officers a speedy recovery,” said Nkosi-Malobane.
The Star