Man arrested for Limpopo cop shooting

"This arrest is a sequel to an incident in which the suspect allegedly drove through a red robot in the early hours of Saturday morning and our member, who was not on duty at the time, followed him in his private vehicle," Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said on Sunday.

Police received information on Sunday about the suspect who had been admitted to hospital. He possibly sustained injuries when the car he was driving crashed during the chase on Saturday morning. He was arrested at the hospital and was being linked to a number of cases around the province and would appear in court soon, Mojapelo said.

Limpopo police commissioner Lt-Gen Nneke Ledwaba expressed delight at the manner in which the police and community members worked together on this case.

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"This swift arrest of one of the most wanted criminals in the province is a perfect display of community policing at its best. This arrest will go a long way in ridding our province of any acts of criminality," Ledwaba said.

In a statement on Saturday, police said Detective Constable Mpho Tshikhudo, 34, was driving along Krogh Street in Louis Trichardt with a companion when a white Nissan Tiida skipped a red traffic light.

The constable pursued the car. "It is further alleged the suspect stopped and started firing shots at him and then fled from the scene. The vehicle later crashed and the suspect is alleged to have been picked up by an unknown Ford Ranger."

The officer, who was off-duty at the time and driving his private vehicle, did not fire any shots. He was taken to hospital and admitted. His companion was not injured.

The Nissan was searched and a 9mm pistol with the serial numbers filed off and one live round of ammunition were found. The vehicle was recently reported stolen in the Westenburg policing area, the statement said.