Gang holds up police station

2006-12-04 10:53

Johannesburg - Three armed men held up a police station near Pietermaritzburg, shooting one police officer and making off with guns and bulletproof vests, police said on Monday.

Sapa has learnt that three men had arrived at the Umsunduzi police station near Cato Ridge late Sunday night, claiming that they had been robbed of their cellphones.

Before the three police officers - a policewoman and two policemen - could begin filing reports the three men pulled out 9mm pistols and lined the three officers up against the wall.

One of the police officers attempted to duck and was shot in the head by the armed robbers.

The other two officers were forced to open the safe.

The three men made off with three 9mm pistols and an R5 from the safe as well as two 9mm service pistols carried by the police officers.

A small amount of cash and three bulletproof vests were also taken.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha said the injured policeman was in a critical condition and was taken to St Anne's Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.

It is believed that that the wounded policeman had actually finished his shift at 22:00, but had not left the police station when the robbers struck at 23:00.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Joshua Gwala refused to immediately comment and said that he would issue a press statement shortly.

- SAPA