HAZYVIEW - A police constable was nearly shot when three suspects blocked his vehicle and immediately opened fire on him and his friends on Sunday.

The 31-year-old constable was driving his private vehicle with two passengers at Goromane Trust near Hazyview, when the three suspects driving in a hijacked Toyota Legend 50 bakkie blocked them and started firing shots. One occupant of the constable’s vehicle was injured. The constable retaliated, hitting two of the suspects. One was certified dead at the nearby clinic and the other was seriously injured.

A case of attempted carjacking and attempted murder is being investigated in an inquest. It transpired that the same suspects hijacked two vehicles at Hazyview earlier the same day; first, an Opel Kadett, which they later dumped for the Toyota Legend 50 that they used in the attack on the constable.

The IPID has been informed about this incident and will conduct its investigation as well.

The police are currently searching for the third suspect, who escaped during the commotion. They therefore request anyone who might have information to contact Lt Col Duduzile Shabangu at 082-469-2569.

Editor: Anchen Coetzee
Subeditor: Wahl Lessing
PR submitted by: Brig Leonard Hlathi