An off-duty police constable who went to help women who were being robbed in Khayelitsha is recovering in hospital after being shot through the groin.

The 27-year-old officer‚ attached to Pinelands Flying Squad in Cape Town‚ was walking with a friend along Ngcwalazi Drive‚ Llitha Park‚ when he witnessed two people robbing women on Wednesday evening.

“Without hesitating‚ the officer intervened and tried to apprehend the robbers‚” said Hawks spokesman Captain Lloyd Ramovha.

“A shoot-out ensued‚ during which he was wounded in the groin area (bullet exited through his back). He is in a stable condition in hospital. The suspects fled on foot. It is unknown at this stage whether any of them sustained any injuries‚” he said.

A passerby was also hit in the leg by a stray bullet and was taken to hospital for treatment.

“We want to appeal to the community to provide information that will lead to the perpetrators being apprehended. They don’t deserve to live amongst law-abiding citizens. Help us put them where they belong‚” said Ramovha.

— TMG Digital