Cop hit by taxi, fired on while chasing gunman

A PORT Elizabeth policeman was run down by a taxi and shot at while chasing a gunman in Gelvandale at the weekend.

Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said police officers from the Mount Road Cluster were holding a stop-and-search operation in Louw Street, Gelvandale, at about 4pm on Saturday, when they saw a man running with a firearm in his hand.

Police gave chase on foot and in a vehicle and the man was seen allegedly throwing the firearm into a yard in Louw Street.

“During the foot pursuit, one of the police members was hit by a taxi but managed to get up and continue the chase,” Naidu said.

“The suspect then turned around and fired at them with a second firearm.

“While fleeing, the suspect was joined by two other men, one of whom he handed the firearm to.”

Naidu said one of the men, an 18-year-old, was arrested.

The chase continued, and the two others eventually split up.

“One was found later at a house in Nyala Street, but no firearm was found,” Naidu said.

The taxi driver was also arrested for reckless and negligent driving.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga said the case had been handed over to the gang investigation unit.

The 18-year-old will appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court today for illegal possession of a firearm and attempted murder.