DURBAN – It is alleged that yesterday at 19:30, an off-duty police officer attended a church service at P Section in Umlazi. Whilst he and another woman were outside the church on their phones they were accosted by three men who robbed them of their cellphones.

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 in the leg and thigh. Several vehicles of the congregants were also damaged. The suspects fled the scene on foot with injuries. 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. Further information was followed up on which led police to arrest two more suspects and recover a vehicle that was used in the commission of the crime. The injured suspects were taken to hospital where they are under police guard while two others are in police custody.

Four suspects aged between 23 and 36 are expected to appear before the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court next week on charges of attempted murder, robbery, malicious damage to property and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Source: South African Police Service