Staff Reporter
A police officer was shot and killed by two men who had allegedly stolen a bakkie in Thaba Nchu yesterday after they got stuck in Wepener following a tyre puncture.
The pair, which unsuccessfully tried to take the vehicle across the Lesotho border, left a trail of blood after they shot and injured three other people, including another police officer and a former police official.
The ex-police official was hijacked outside his house in Ratlou, Thaba Nchu, by two armed men at about 20:00.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said in a statement the man was shot in the hand when his white Toyota Hilux was stolen.
He was immediately rushed to a local hospital before being transferred to Bloemfontein.
“The stolen vehicle was spotted in Wepener by an on-duty warrant officer,” said Makhele.
He said the vehicle was stationary and it seemed to have a flat tyre.
“The member stopped not far (from the vehicle) and called the station to circulate the registration number so as to confirm if it’s the stolen bakkie.
“Whilst busy on the line, the two men approached him and requested assistance.
“But when they realised that he was inquiring about them, they allegedly shot him through a slightly opened window,” the police spokesperson explained.
The police officer was shot on the right side of the head and the bullet went out on the left and hit a female passenger, 33, in the stomach.
“The 53-year-old member died at the scene whilst the lady was referred to a hospital in Bloemfontein. The police official service pistol was taken,” said Makhele.
Soon after that incident, a police sergeant from Van Rooyen’s port of entry passed at the scene with his private vehicle.
The suspects approached the 36-year-old officer asking for a wheel spanner.
But upon realising that he was a police officer as he was in uniform, they fired shots and he was hit on the shoulder.
“He returned fire and managed to find cover at a Correctional Service Centre while requesting back up. The suspects fled the scene and tried to drive the vehicle towards Lesotho but failed due to the tyre problem,” said Makhele.
The vehicle was later found abandoned near Tsupane Road in Wepener.
The injured police sergeant was also referred to a hospital in Bloemfontein.
No one has been arrested and the case is now being investigated by the Hawks.
Meanwhile, a 12-year-old boy accused of stabbing Lebohang Malgas, 15, to death last week has appeared in the Odendaalsrus Magistrates Court.
The case was postponed to July 13 for an assessment by social workers due to his age and to determine whether the boy is fit to stand trial.
It is believed that the two boys were playing a gambling game on the street at Blok 7, Kutlwanong township, in Odendaalsrus on Friday at about 19:30 when the incident occurred.
The two then engaged in a heated argument before the 12-year-old allegedly went home and returned with a knife.
He is said to have pulled out a pocket knife and stabbed Lebohang in the chest.
The victim fell and was declared dead at the scene, leading to the boy’s arrest.
The accused will remain in the custody of a guardian pending his next court appearance.