PHOTOS: Three arrested for shooting at cops

Three men have been arrested in Philippi, Cape Town, after shooting at police officers on patrol, Western Cape police said on Sunday.

The shooting happened while Operation Combat police officers were on patrol in John Down Walk, Hanover Park, at about 3.40pm on Friday afternoon, spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said.

The officers noticed three suspicious men and stopped to search them. While they were getting out of the police vehicle one of the men took out a firearm and fired at the officers, he said.

Four shots hit the left side of the vehicle. The men fled the scene on foot in the direction of Hangklip Court, Philippi. The officers gathered information in the area and the men were arrested.

A .38 revolver and ammunition were recovered. The officers were unharmed in the shooting.

The men, aged between 18 and 32, were due to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of attempted murder, possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition, and malicious damage to property, Van Wyk said.

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