Policeman shot and killed

"This afternoon a 25-year-old police constable attached to the Somerset West police station was fatally wounded during a shootout with a suspect," Lt-Col Andre Traut said.

   

"At around 4pm two police officers, a sergeant and a constable, were doing crime prevention duties in an informal settlement in Sir Lowry's Pass when they approached a suspect they wanted to arrest."
   

During the altercation, the man disarmed the sergeant and shot him with his official firearm, following which he fled into a busy area.
   

The wounded sergeant remained behind while the man was pursued by the constable, who also called for back-up. 
   

"During a shootout with the suspect during the pursuit, the constable was fatally wounded," Traut said.
   

"Back-up police officers arrived on the scene and during further gun fire, the unknown suspect was shot and killed," Traut said.
   

"The stolen firearm was found in his possession. The wounded sergeant was admitted to hospital where he is recovering."
   

The circumstances regarding what happened were being investigated by police.
   

"The sincerest condolences are expressed to the family and colleagues of the fallen member by the Western Cape police management," Traut said.