Cop dies in hail of bullets

2008-10-23 07:41

Francois Oosthuizen

Johannesburg - On Wednesday a group of men chased down a police van in which their arrested comrade was being transported, shot the police officer and freed their mate.

Inspector Andries van Tonder, 42, father of two children, was shot six times, including in the head.

"I'm very sad and very angry," said his wife, Yvonne. She was highly emotional on Wednesday and was being supported by family and friends. "It's especially difficult for Anrika, nine, and Eugene, 12."

Police spokesperson Superintendent Lungelo Dlamini, said Van Tonder and another policeman arrested a suspect on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Fifth Street in Bezuidenhout Valley, Johannesburg.

"They searched him and found an AK-47 assault rifle on him.

"He was arrested and taken to the Jeppe Street charge office." En route to the police station a green Audi started pursuing the police vehicle. The occupants of the Audi opened fire on the police on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Fourth Street.

About 50m down the road Van Tonder lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree on the pavement.

Collapsed on the scene

The three men freed their mate in the police vehicle and fled the scene.

An eyewitness who didn't want to be identified, said she ran outside when she heard the gunfire.

"The deceased still opened the car door, but then he just collapsed.

"An innocent life was taken for nothing."

Van Tonder said her husband was a loving partner and a good father to their children.

"He worked in the police for 17 years. His colleagues often said he was too much of a perfectionist in his work."

The other policeman was not injured.

An extensive search for the four suspects has been launched.

- Beeld