Robbers ambush metro cops

2005-12-06 18:59

Pretoria - A Tshwane metro police officer was shot dead and two others wounded when would-be robbers ambushed them outside the Mamelodi municipal offices on Tuesday.

Police spokesperson Inspector Lucas Sithole said the three officers collected money from the office.

"As they were driving from the office they were ambushed by five armed robbers," Sithole said.

Metro police spokesperson Mel Vosloo said constable Jacques Botha, 33, died on the scene. Const Joe van Rooyen, 34, was wounded in his shoulder, and const Jacobus Swart, 34, was wounded in his stomach.

"We found spend AK-47 and 9mm rounds at the scene," Vosloo said.

Although the attackers fled with the officers' firearms, they left behind the money the officers' had collected.

The attackers also left behind the stolen Mercedes-Benz they had used to ram the marked vehicle in which the officers had been travelling.

They fled in a Bantam bakkie, also stolen, which was later found abandoned at the Mamelodi Hostel. "We search the hostel but did not find the men," Vosloo said.

The two wounded officers were rushed to hospital where they were in a serious condition.

"We are investigating a case of murder and armed robbery," Sithole said.

Vosloo added that the Metro police would not rest until the matter was solved. "We are outraged by this attack and no effort will be spared to arrest the criminals," Vosloo said.

- SAPA