The drama unfolded on Wednesday shortly after 10pm in NY 147 Gugulethu while police officers were assisting a Western Cape Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ambulance.
Cops say five armed robbers approached the police vehicle and demanded their firearms.
A shootout ensued and a 34-year-old police officer was shot and seriously wounded, while one of the robbers, a man in his thirties, was shot and died on the scene.
Police have yet to confirm whether any firearms were taken and if the other robbers were arrested.
During the shootout, shocked crew from the ambulance managed to run away to safety.
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, says an inquest docket has been opened. It is believed the four other suspects ran away.
“Police were escorting an ambulance in the area when they were approached by about five suspects who demanded firearms from the police officials.
“A 34-year-old police official was shot and wounded, he was transported to hospital for treatment. A suspect in his thirties was fatally wounded during this incident.
“Cases of attempted murder, the illegal possession of firearm and an inquest are under investigation.
“IPID [Independent Police Investigative Directorate] is investigating the circumstances of the death of a suspect.”
EMS sources say the ambulance crew members were forced to flee: “One of the crew members had to run away for safety. Ambulance crew members were not injured. Gugulethu was declared a no-go area for 24 hours due to the shooting of the policeman.”
EMS spokesman, Robert Daniels, said they received a call at 10.10pm from NY147 where a patient was allegedly coughing and vomiting.
“This is a red zone so a police escort was requested who immediately assisted EMS on their arrival to the area.”
He says the police officer was shot twice in the stomach and was rushed to a nearby private hospital in a critical condition.
“The EMS staff members were severely traumatised, more so as this was not the first time these specific EMS members’ lives were placed in danger under similar circumstances. They have been and will be receiving more trauma counselling.”