DURBAN - After attending a church service on Friday night, an off-duty police officer was standing with a woman outside a church in uMlazi when they were approached by three suspects and robbed.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala, said the robbery occurred at 7:30pm in P Section in uMlazi after a church service.
Gwala said while the off-duty officer and the woman were standing outside the church on their phones, they were accosted by three men who robbed them of their cellphones.
She said one of the suspects attempted to steal the police officer's firearm and there was a shoot-out.
“During the shooting, the police officer was shot on the leg and thigh. Several vehicles of the congregants were also damaged,” said Gwala.
According to police the suspects fled the scene on foot with injuries.
Gwala said police officers were immediately alerted and they swiftly responded to the scene.
“Two suspects were found not far from the scene with gunshot wounds. One of the suspects was still in possession of a firearm that was used to shoot the police officer,” she said.
While following up on further information, police arrested two more suspects and recovered a vehicle that was used in the commission of the offence, she said.
“The injured suspects were taken to hospital where they are under police guard while the other two are in police custody,”said Gwala.
Four suspects between the ages of 23 and 36 are expected to appear before the Umlazi Magistrate's Court this week on charges of attempted murder, robbery, malicious damage to property and unlawful possession of a firearm.
MOST READ:
– Robbery suspect allegedly shot during struggle in KZN home invasion
– Black mamba lurks inside the wall of a Durban home for weeks