A police officer is recovering in hospital after he was shot while chasing a suspect in Mitchells Plain on Tuesday.
Constable Elroy Williams, 22, was hit in the chest in Tafelsig at 9.30pm.
Police nabbed a 37-year-old suspect shortly after the shooting.
According to a police source, officers were conducting stop-and-searches when the constable spotted the suspect acting suspiciously on the corner of Rita and Nina roads.
When they approached the suspect, he ran away, firing two shots at Williams and hitting him in the chest.
Lieutenant-Colonel André Traut confirmed the incident and says the officer was rushed to hospital in a serious condition.
“He is still being treated for a gunshot wound. Our pursuit of the attacker resulted in his arrest not long after the incident. The weapon used, an Astra revolver, was also confiscated. Once charged, the suspect is due to make a court appearance in Mitchells Plain on a charge of attempted murder,” says Traut.
The source says the suspect lives near to where he shot the cop, and the firearm found in his possession had its serial number filed off.
SCENE: Rita and Nina Roads, Mitchells Plain
Mitchells Plain Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson, Abie Isaacs, condemned the attack, saying it would have a negative impact on police resources in the area.
“As the CPF, we strongly condemn the attack on officers who are there to protect the community. The problem is that the community needs to come forward and start talking, incidents like this have a direct impact on them because there is one less officer to fight crime,” he explained.
Isaacs says during the recent suspension of Mitchells Plain Station commander, Brigadier Cass Goolam, this particular section of Tafelsig saw a significant increase in crime.
Goolam, along with several other top cops, were suspended in September after 15 firearms went missing from the cop shop.
His suspension was lifted in November.
Isaacs says: “There was a significant increase in crime when the station commander was taken away but now that he is back we are hoping the area will stabilise.”