Two Orkney police officers who were trying to arrest a 20-year-old man on suspicion of murder were injured when the suspect opened fire on them.
|||Rustenburg – A 20-year-old man wanted for murder, shot and wounded two police officers in Orkney near Klerksdorp on Wednesday, North West police said.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Leonard Hlathi said the man randomly opened fire at the two police officers who were about to effect an arrest on him.
He said the police officers, a Sergeant and a Constable both stationed at the Orkney detective branch, had acted on a tip-off about a man who was wanted for two murder cases and theft of a firearm.
“The police were about to arrest the villain when he fired shots, wounding them, one on the thigh and the other on the arm. The determined members fearlessly returned fire and shot the suspect on the abdominal area. All three of them, the police as well as the suspect, sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals for medical attention.”
He said the man was expected to appear in the Orkney Magistrate’s Court soon where he would face additional charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm and discharging of a firearm in a municipal area.
North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, wished the members a speedy recuperation and commended them for their bravery that led to the apprehension of the suspect even though they were shot and wounded.
African News Agency
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