Police officers stabbed while on lunch break

TWO SAPS employees were stabbed and mugged while on a lunch break at Leaches Bay on Wednesday while a member of the K9 Unit had his house broken into while at work.

East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said the two members injured included a 48-year-old mechanic based at the SAPS garage in the West Bank and a 46-year-old warrant officer working at the same garage.

“They went to test drive an official vehicle that had just been fixed. They then bought lunch and drove to Leaches Bay.”

While eating the officers were approached by two balaclava wearing males armed with knives.

“The officers were not armed and the suspects demanded money and cellphones. A struggle between them ensu said Mqala.

The mechanic was stabbed in the head while the warrant officer was repeatedly stabbed in the body.

She said the suspects fled with a cellphone and shoes.

“The mechanic has now been discharged from hospital but the warrant officer is still in the intensive care unit.”

She said the suspects were still at large and police were investigating a case of robbery and attempted murder.

Meanwhile, four suspects were arrested yesterday after they allegedly broke into the Stirling house of an East London police officer.

K9 dog handler Warrant Officer Henry Dixon said he was at work when his private home security company alerted him the alarm had gone off.

“I immediately drove home. When I got there I saw my two flatscreen TVs and a remote lying on the grass with my front bedroom window broken,” Dixon said.

A neighbour had seen two men run from the house and followed them until they got into a gold Mercedes-Benz.

“He took down the registration numbers of the car and with that we were able to call the police,” Dixon said.

Within minutes the car was spotted in Southernwood and members of the K9 Unit and Flying Squad were activated.

Dixon said three suspects were arrested in the car while a fourth fled on foot.

“The fourth guy was later apprehended,” said Dixon.

Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku said a case of house burglary was opened. —

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