Constable dies after coming under fire from suspects
A POLICE constable has died after being fatally wounded when he and a colleague encountered four armed suspects.
Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge said the shooting took place at about 3pm in Mendi Road, New Brighton. The constable, 35, died later.
Details on the events that led to the shooting were still sketchy last night, but Beetge said the four men were in a silver Toyota Etios.
When the officers got out of their marked police vehicle, a black Nissan double-cab bakkie, the four men jumped out of the car, produced firearms and fired several shots at the officers.
The constable, whose identity has been withheld as his next-of-kin have not yet been informed, was seriously wounded and died of his injuries on the way to hospital. His colleague, 37, was not injured. Moments after the shooting, a New Brighton police vehicle arrived on the scene, its officers unaware of what had happened.
The armed men then opened fire on the second vehicle. The police members shot back, but the shooters managed to evade arrest.
Eastern Cape provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga condemned the killing of the constable.
“This cowardly attack and the killing of a constable who was performing his duties, reflects on the calibre of the ruthless individuals who undermine the authority of the state.
“The Eastern Cape [police] management extends sincere condolences to the family and friends of this brave young man.”
Motherwell cluster commander Major-General Dawie Rabie expressed his condolences to the family and colleagues of the fallen policeman.
“A full investigation will be conducted. We will [find] these police killers and [bring] them to book.”
There was a heavy police presence in the area last night, with officers from across the metro on the scene.
An Engen petrol attendant, 25, who asked not to be named, said he and his colleagues heard the gunshots and ran.
“When the shots went off, the other attendants [and I] all ran inside [the filling station shop],” he said.